Protein kinase c inhibitors

ABSTRACT

This invention provides novel bis-indolemaleimide macrocycle derivatives of the formula:  &lt;IMAGE&gt;  The invention further provides the preparation, pharmaceutical formulations and the methods of use for inhibiting Protein Kinase C in mammals.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/413,735 filedMar. 30, 1995, which is a continuation-in-part of Heath et al., U.S.Ser. No. 08/316,973, filed Oct. 3, 1994, which is a continuation-in-partof Heath et al., U.S. Ser. No. 08/163,060, filed Dec. 7, 1993, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protein kinase C (PKC) consists of a family of closely related enzymesthat function as serine/threonine kinases. Protein kinase C plays animportant role in cell-cell signaling, gene expression, and in thecontrol of cell differentiation and growth. At present, there arecurrently at least ten known isozymes of PKC that differ in their tissuedistribution, enzymatic specificity, and regulation. Nishizuka Y. Annu.Rev. Biochem. 58: 31-44 (1989); Nishizuka Y. Science 258: 607-614(1992).

Protein kinase C isozymes are single polypeptide chains ranging from 592to 737 amino acids in length. The isozymes contain a regulatory domainand a catalytic domain connected by a linker peptide. The regulatory andcatalytic domains can be further subdivided into constant and variableregions. The catalytic domain of protein kinase C is very similar tothat seen in other protein kinases while the regulatory domain is uniqueto the PKC isozymes. The PKC isozymes demonstrate between 40-80%homology at the amino acid level among the group. However, the homologyof a single isozyme between different species is generally greater than97%.

Protein kinase C is a membrane-associated enzyme that is allostericallyregulated by a number of factors, including membrane phospholipids,calcium, and certain membrane lipids such as diacylglycerols that areliberated in response to the activities of phospholipases. Bell, R. M.and Burns, D. J., J. Biol. Chem. 266: 4661-4664 (1991); Nishizuka, Y.Science 258: 607-614 (1992). The protein kinase C isozymes, alpha,beta-1, beta-2 and gamma, require membrane phospholipid, calcium anddiacylglycerol/phorbol esters for full activation. The delta, epsilon,eta, and theta forms of PKC are calcium-independent in their mode ofactivation. The zeta and lambda forms of PKC are independent of bothcalcium and diacylglycerol and are believed to require only membranephospholipid for their activation.

Only one or two of the protein kinase C isozymes may be involved in agiven disease state. For example, the elevated blood glucose levelsfound in diabetes lead to an isozyme-specific elevation of the beta-2isozyme in vascular tissues. Inoguchi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA89: 11059-11065 (1992). A diabetes-linked elevation of the beta isozymein human platelets has been correlated with their altered response toagonists. Bastyr III, E. J. and Lu, J. Diabetes 42: (Suppl. 1) 97A(1993). The human vitamin D receptor has been shown to be selectivelyphosphorylated by protein kinase C beta. This phosphorylation has beenlinked to alterations in the functioning of the receptor. Hsieh et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88: 9315-9319 (1991); Hsieh et al., J. Biol.Chem. 268: 15118-15126 (1993). In addition, recent work has shown thatthe beta-2 isozyme is responsible for erythroleukemia cell proliferationwhile the alpha isozyme is involved in megakaryocyte differentiation inthese same cells. Murray et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268: 15847-15853 (1993).

The ubiquitous nature of the protein kinase C isozymes and theirimportant roles in physiology provide incentives to produce highlyselective PKC inhibitors. Given the evidence demonstrating linkage ofcertain isozymes to disease states, it is reasonable to assume thatinhibitory compounds that are selective to one or two protein kinase Cisozymes relative to the other PKC isozymes and other protein kinasesare superior therapeutic agents. Such compounds should demonstrategreater efficacy and lower toxicity by virtue of their specificity.

The microbial indolocarbazole, staurosporine, is a potent inhibitor ofprotein kinase C that interacts with the cacalytic domain of the enzyme.Tamaoki et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 135: 397-402 (1986);Gross et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 40: 343-350 (1990). However, thetherapeutic usefulness of this molecule and closely related compounds islimited by the lack of specificity for protein kinase C over otherprotein kinases. Ruegg, U. T. and Burgess, G. M., Trends Pharmacol. Sci.10: 218-220 (989). This lack of selectivity results in unacceptabletoxicity in this class of molecules.

An additional class of compounds related to staurosporine, thebisindolemaleimides, has been the focus of recent work. Davis et al.,FEBS Lett. 259: 61-63 (1989); Twoemy et al., Biochem. Biophys Res.Commun. 171: 1087-1092 (1990); Toullec et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266:15771-15781 (1991); Davis et al., J. Med. Chem. 35: 994-1001 (1992); Bitet al., J. Med. Chem. 36: 21-29 (1993). Some of these compounds havedemonstrated selectivity for protein kinase C over other proteinkinases.

Although compounds that demonstrate specificity to protein kinase C havebeen discovered, very little is known regarding isozyme selectivity. Forexample, analysis of the isozyme selectivity of staurosporine, showslittle isozyme selectivity with the exception of poor inhibition of thezeta isozyme relative to the other isozymes. McGlynn et al., J. Cell.Biochem. 49.: 239-250 (1992); Ward, N. E., and O'Brian, C. A., Molec.Pharmacol. 41: 387-392 (992). Studies of the PKC-selective compound,3-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-indol-3-yl]-4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione,suggest a slight selectivity for the calcium dependent isozymes. Toullecet al., J. Biol. Chem. 266: 15771-15781 (1991). Subsequent studies ofthis co,pound observed no difference, or possibly slight selectivity,for alpha over beta-1 and beta-2 isozymes. Martiny-Baron et al., J.Biol. Chem. 268: 9194-9197 (1993); Wilkinson, et al., Biochem. J. 294:335-337 (1993). Therefore, despite years of research and theidentification of classes of compounds that inhibit protein kinase Cversus other protein kinases, there remains a need for therapeuticallyeffective isozyme-selective inhibitors.

The present invention provides novel, potent protein kinase Cinhibitors. The compounds of the present invention are selective toprotein kinase C over other kinases and are, quite surprisingly, highlyisozymeselective. As selective inhibitors the compounds are useful intreating conditions associated with diabetes mellitus and itscomplications, ischemia, inflammation, central nervous system disorders,cardiovascular disease, dermatological disease and cancer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides compounds of Formula I: ##STR2## wherein: W is--O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --CO--, C₂ -C₆ alkylene, substitutedalkylene, C₂ -C₆ alkenylene, -aryl-, -aryl(CH₂)_(m) O--, -heterocycle-,-heterocycle--(CH₂)_(m) O--, -fused bicyclic-, -fusedbicyclic--(CH₂)_(m) O--, --NR₃ --, --NOR₃ --, --CONH-- or --NHCO--;

X and Y are independently C₁ -C₄ alkylene, substituted alkylene, ortogether X, Y, and W combine to form --(CH₂)_(n) --AA--;

R₁ is independently hydrogen, halo, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁ -C₄alkoxy, haloalkyl, nitro, NR₄ R₅, or --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

R₂ is hydrogen, CH₃ CO--, NH₂, or hydroxy;

R₃ is hydrogen, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, --COO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl),--CONR₄ R₅, --(C═NH)NH₂, --SO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), or --SO₂(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

R₄ and R₅ are independently hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, orcombine to the nitrogen to which they are bonded to form a saturated orunsaturated 5 or 6 member ring;

AA is an amino acid residue;

m is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3; and

n is independently 2, 3, 4, or 5.

Also provided are novel intermediates of the above compounds. Theseintermediates are compounds of the Formula II. ##STR3## wherein: V is--O-- or N--CH₃ ;

W is --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --CO--, C₂ -C₆ alkylene,substituted alkylene, C₂ -C₆ alkenylene, -aryl-, -aryl(CH₂)_(m) O--,-heterocycle-, -heterocycle--(CH₂)_(m) O--, -fused bicyclic-, -fusedbicyclic--(CH₂)_(m) O--, --NR₃ --, --NOR₃ --, --CONH--, or --NHCO--;

X and Y are independently C₁ -C₄ alkylene, substituted alkylene, ortogether X, Y, and W combine to form --(CH₂)_(n) --AA--;

R₁ is independently hydrogen, halo, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁ -C₄alkoxy, haloalkyl, nitro, NR₄ R₅, or --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

R₃ is hydrogen, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, --COO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl),--CONR₄ R₅, --(C═NH)NH₂, --SO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), or --SO₂(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

R₄ and R₅ are independently hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, orcombine to the nitrogen to which they are bonded to form a saturated orunsaturated 5 or 6 member ring;

AA is an amino acid residue;

m is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3; and

n is independently 2, 3, 4, or 5.

An additional aspect of this invention is a process of preparing thecompounds of Formula II, which comprises:

Combining a mixture of a compound at a concentration of about 1.5 molarto about 0.001 molar of the formula: ##STR4## wherein: V is O, or N--CH₃;

R₁ is independently hydrogen, halo, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁ -C₄alkoxy, haloalkyl, nitro, NR₄ R₅, or --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

m is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3;

and an alkylating agent ac a concentration of about 1.5 molar to about0.001 molar of the formula: ##STR5## wherein L is a leaving group;

W is --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --CO--, C₂ -C₆ alkylene,substituted alkylene, C₂ -C₆ alkenylene, -aryl-, -aryl(CH₂)_(m) O--,-heterocycle-, -heterocycle--(CH₂)_(m) O--, -fused bicyclic-, -fusedbicyclic--(CH₂)_(m) O--, --NR₃ --, --NOR₃ --, --CONH--, or --NHCO--;

X and Y are independently C₁ -C₄ alkylene or substituted alkylene;

R₃ is hydrogen, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, -C₀₀ (C₁ -C₄ alkyl),--CONR₄ R₅, --(C═NH)NH₂, --SO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), or --SO₂(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

R₄ and R₅ are independently hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, orcombine to the nitrogen to which they are bonded to form a saturated orunsaturated 5 or 6 member ring;

m is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3;

with about 0.5 to about 10 equivalents of Cs₂ CO₃ at a rate from about0.1 mL/hour to about 2.0 mL/hour in a polar aprotic solvent.

Yet another process of preparing the compounds of Formula II, comprises:Combining a compound at a concentration of about 3 molar to about 0.001molar of the formula: ##STR6## wherein: L² is independently a leavinggroup;

V is --O-- or N--CH₃ ;

W is --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --CO--, C₂ -C₆ alkylene,substituted alkylene, C₂ -C₆ alkenylene, -aryl-, -aryl(CH₂)_(m) O--,-heterocycle-, -heterocycle--(CH₂)_(m) O--, -fused bicyclic-, -fusedbicyclic--(CH₂)_(m) O--, --NR₃ --, --NOR₃ --, --CONH--, or --NHCO--;

X and Y are independently C₁ -C₄ alkylene or substituted alkylene;

R₁ is independently hydrogen, halo, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁ -C₄alkoxy, haloalkyl, nitro, NR₄ R₅, or --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

R₃ is hydrogen, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, --COO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl),--CONR₄ R₅, --(C═NH)NH₂, --SO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), or --SO₂(C₁ -C₄ alkyl);

R₄ and R₅ are independently hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, orcombine to the nitrogen to which they are bonded to form a saturated orunsaturated 5 or 6 member ring;

m is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3;

with about 0.5 to about 10 equivalents of Cs₂ CO₃ at a rate from about0.i mL/hour to about 2.0 mL/hour in a polar aprotic solvent.

One further aspect of the invention is a method of inhibiting ProteinKinase C, which comprises administering to a mammal in need of suchtreatment a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of theFormula I. Also included is a method of selectively inhibiting thebeta-1 and beta-2 protein kinase C isozymes, which comprisesadministering to a mammal in need of such treatment a pharmaceuticallyeffective amount of a compound of the Formula I.

The invention further provides methods for treating conditions thatprotein kinase C has demonstrated a role in the pathology, such asischemia, inflammation, central nervous system disorders, cardiovasculardisease, dermatological disease, and cancer, which compriseadministering to a mammal in need of treatment a pharmaceuticallyeffective amount of a compound of the Formula I.

This invention is particularly useful in treating diabeticcomplications. Therefore, this invention further provides a method fortreating diabetes mellitus, which comprises administering to a mammal inneed of such treatment a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compoundof the Formula I.

A final aspect of the invention are pharmaceutical formulationscomprising a compound of Formula I together with one or morepharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, or diluents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As noted above, the invention provides compounds of the Formula I whichselectively inhibit protein kinase C. The preferred compounds of thisinvention are those of Formula I wherein the moieties --X--W--Y--contain 4 to 8 atoms, which may be substituted or unsubstituted. Mostpreferably, the moieties --X--W--Y-- contain 6 atoms.

Other preferred compounds of this invention are those compounds ofFormula I wherein R₁ and R₂ are hydrogen; and W is a substitutedalkylene, --O--, --S--, --CONH--, --NHCO-- or --NR₃ --. Particularlypreferred compounds are compounds of the Formula Ia: ##STR7## wherein Zis --(CH₂)_(p) -- or --(CH₂)_(p) --O--(CH₂)_(p) --; R₆ is hydroxy, --SH,C₁ -C₄ alkyl, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, --NH(aryl), N(CH₃)(CF₃), NH(CF₃), or --NR₄R₅ ; R₄ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkyl; R₅ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl orbenzyl; p is 0, 1, or 2; and m is independently 2 or 3. Most preferredcompounds of the Formula Ia are those wherein Z is CH₂ ; R₆ is --NH₂,--NH(CF₃), or N(CH₃)₂.

Other preferred compounds are compounds wherein W is --O--, Y issubstituted alkylene, and X is alkylene. These compounds are representedby Formula Ib: ##STR8## wherein Z is --(CH₂)_(p) --; R₆ is NR₄ R₅,NH(CF₃), or N(CH₃)(CF₃); R₄ and R₅ are independently H or C₁ -C₄ alkyl;p is 0, 1, or 1 and m is independently 2 or 3. Most preferred compoundsof the Formula Ib are those wherein p is 1; and R₄ and R₅ are methyl.

The term "halo" represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

The term "C₁ -C₄ alkyl" represents a cyclo, straight or branched chainalkyl group having from one to four carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyland the like. A haloalkyl is one such alkyl substituted with one or morehalo atoms, preferably one to three halo atoms. An example of ahaloalkyl is trifluoromethyl. A C₁ -C₄ alkoxy is a C₁ -C₄ alkyl groupcovalently bonded by an --O-- linkage.

The term "C₁ -C₄ alkylene" represents a one to four carbon, straightalkylene moiety of the formula --(C₂)_(r) -- wherein r is one to four.Examples of C₁ -C₄ alkylene include methylene, ethylene, trimethylene,methylethylene, tetramethylene, and the like. Similarly, a "C₂ -C₆alkylene" represents a two to six carbon, straight alkylene moiety.Preferably, C₂ -C₆ alkylene is a two to four carbon alkylene.

The term "C₂ -C₆ alkenylene" represents a two to six carbon, straight orbranched hydrocarbon containing one or more double bonds, preferably oneor two double bonds. Examples of a C₂ -C₆ alkenylene include ethenylene,propenylene, 1,3 butadieneyl, and 1,3,5-hexatrienyl.

The term "aryl" represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl ornaphthyl. Aryl may be optionally substituted with one or two groupsindependently selected from hydroxy, carboxy, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, C₁ -C₄alkyl, haloalkyl, nitro, --NR₄ R₅, --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --NHCO(benzyl),--NHCO(phenyl), SH, S(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --OCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄R₅), --SO₂ (C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (phenyl), or halo. The term (CH₂)_(m)aryl is preferably benzyl or phenyl.

The term "substituted alkylene" represents a moiety of the formula:##STR9## wherein Z is --(CH₂)_(p) -- or --(CH₂)_(p) --O--(CH₂)_(p) --;R₆ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, (CH₂)_(m) aryloxy,hydroxy, carboxy, --COO (C₁ -C₄ alkyl)), --COO((CH₂)_(m) aryl), --CO(C₁-C₄ alkyl), --NR₄ R₅, NH(CF₃), --N(CF₃)(CH₃), --N(R₄ R₅)(OR₅),--NH(CH₂)_(m) aryl, --NH(CH₂)_(m) pyridyl, --CONH((CH₂)_(m) aryl),--CONH(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --NHCO(CH₂)_(m) aryl,--OCONH(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --OCONH(CH₂)_(m) aryl, --NHCOO(alkyl),--NHCOO(benzyl), --NHSO₂ (C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --NHSO₂ (CH₂)_(m) aryl, --CN,--SH, --S(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --S(aryl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), --SO₂ (C₁ -C₄alkyl), --SO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), glycosyl or heterocycle; R₄ and R₅ areindependently hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or combine to thenitrogen to which they are bonded to form a saturated or unsaturated 5or 6 member ring; p is independently 0, 1 or 2; and m is independently0, 1, 2, or 3. Preferably Z is --CH₂ --; and R₆ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl, aryl,or --NR₄ R₅.

The term "heterocycle" represents a stable, substituted orunsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6 membered ring, said ringhaving from one to four heteroatoms that are the same or different andthat are selected from the group consisting of sulfur, oxygen, andnitrogen; and when heterocycle contains two adjacent carbon atoms, theadjacent carbon atoms may be structured to form a group of the formula--CH═CH--; provided that (I) when the heterocyclic ring contains 5members, the heteroatoms comprise not more than two sulfur or two oxygenatoms but not both; and (2) when the heterocyclic ring contains 6members and is aromatic, sulfur and oxygen are not present. Theheterocycle may be attached at any carbon or nitrogen which affords astable structure. The heterocycle may be substituted with one or twogroups independently selected from C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, hydroxy,acetyl, carboxy, haloalkyl, nitro, --NR₄ R₅, --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl),--NHCO(benzyl), --NHCO(phenyl), SH, S(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --OCO(C₁ -C₄alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), --SO₂ (C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (phenyl), or halo.Examples of an heterocycle include pyrazole, pyrazoline, imidazole,acetylimidazole, isoxazole, triazole, tetrazole, oxazole, i,3-dioxolone,thiazole, oxadiazole, thiadiazole, pyridine, dipyridyl, pyrimidine,piperizine, morpholine, pyrazine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine,oxazolidinone, imidozolidinone, and aminopyridine.

The term "glycosyl" represents a 5 or 6 carbon sugars, preferablyselected from allosyl, altrosyl, glucosyl, mannosyl, gulosyl, idosyl,galactosyl, talosyl, arabinosyl, xylosyl, lyxosyl, rhamnosyl, ribosyl,deoxyfuranosyl, deoxypyranosyl, and deoxyribosyl. The glycose may beazide substituted, 0-acetylated, O-methylated, amino, mono, anddialkylamino substituted, or acylamino substituted.

The term "fused bicyclic" represents a stable fused bicyclic ring systemof the formula: ##STR10## wherein Hetero represents a substituted orunsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6 membered ring, said ringhaving from one to three heteroatoms that are the same or different andthat are selected from the group consisting of sulfur, oxygen, andnitrogen; and when Hetero contains two adjacent carbon atoms, theadjacent carbon atoms may be structured to form a group of the formula--CH═CH--; provided that (1) when the Hetero ring contains 5 members,the heteroatoms comprise not more than two sulfur or two oxygen atomsbut not both; and (2) when the Hetero ring contains 6 members and isaromatic, sulfur and oxygen are not present. The fused bicyclic may beattached at any carbon or nitrogen atom which affords a stablestructure. The fused bicyclic may be substituted with one or two groupsindependently selected from C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, hydroxy,carboxy, haloalkyl, nitro, --NR₄ R₅, --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl),--NHCO(benzyl), --NHCO(phenyl), SH, S(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --OCO(C₁ -C₄alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), --SO₂ (C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (phenyl), or halo.Examples of a fused bicyclic include indole, imidazo(1,2-a)pyridine,benzotriazole, benzimidazole, benzotriazole, benzoxazole,benzoxathiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, phthalazine, quinazoline,quinazolinone, quinoxaline, and aminoisoquinoline.

The term "amino acid residue" refers to moiety of the formula ##STR11##wherein R represents the variable side chain of an amino acid and R₇ ishydrogen or hydroxy. The variable side chain of an amino acid representsthe atom or group bonded to an α-carbon atom also having bonded theretoa carboxyl and an amino group. For example, the variable region of thenaturally occurring amino acids are of the formulas: ##STR12## Inaddition to the naturally occurring amino acids, the term amino acidresidue includes positional isomers and variants. Examples of positionalisomers and variants represented by amino acid residue include:2-Aminoadipic acid (Aad), 3-aminoadipic acid (bAad), β-alanine (bAla),2-aminobutyric acid (Abu), 4-aminobutyric acid (4Abu), 6-aminocaproicacid (Acp), 2-aminoheptanoic acid (Ahe), 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib),3-aminoisobutyric acid (bAib), 2-aminopimelic acid (Apm),2,4-diaminobutyric acid (Dbu), desmosine (Des), 2,2'-diaminopimelic acid(Dpm), 2,3-diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), N-ethylglycine (EtGly),N-ethylasparagine (EtAsn), hydroxylsine (Hyl), allohydroxylysine (aHyl),3-hydroxyproline (3Hyp), 4-hydroxylproline (4Hyp), isodesmosine (Ide),allo-isoleucine (alle), naphthylglycine, N-methylglycine (MeGly),N-methylisoleucine (MeIle), N-methyllysine (MeLys), norvaline (Nva),norleucine (Nle), ornithine (Orn), phenylglycine, cyanoalanine (CA),γ-carboxyglutamate, O-phosphoserine, α-naphthylalanine (NA),β-naphthylalanine (bNA), S-galactosyl cysteine, glycinamide,N-formylmethionine, tyrosine-O-sulfate and the like. These amino acidresidues may be in either the D or L configuration. Unless otherwisespecified, a reference to an amino acid will refer to the Lconfiguration.

The term "leaving group" as used in the specification is understood bythose skilled in the art. Generally, a leaving group is any group oratom that enhances the electrophilicity of the atom to which it isattached for displacement. Preferred leaving groups are triflate,mesylate, tosylate, imidate, chloride, bromide, and iodide. If thealkylating agent contains an amino acid residue (i.e., X, W, and Ycombine to form --(CH₂)_(n) --AA--) the leaving group attached to thecarboxy is preferably pentaflourophenyl ester or para-nitrophenyl ester.

The term "carboxy protecting group" as used in the specification refersto one of the ester derivatives of the carboxylic acid group commonlyemployed to block or protect the carboxylic acid group while reactionsare carried out on other functional groups on the compound. The speciesof carboxy-protecting group employed is not critical so long as thederivatized carboxylic acid is stable to the condition of subsequentreaction(s) and can be removed at the appropriate point withoutdisrupting the remainder of the molecule. T. W. Greene and P. Wuts,Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, New York,N.Y., 1991, Chapter 5, provide a list of commonly employed protectinggroups. See also E. Haslam, Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, J.G. W. McOmie, Ed., Plenum Press, New York, N.Y., 1973. A related term is"protected carboxy," which refers to a carboxy-protecting group.

The term "hydroxy protecting group" as used in the specification refersto one of the ether or ester derivatives of the hydroxy group commonlyemployed to block or protect the hydroxy group while reactions arecarried out on other functional groups on the compound. The species ofhydroxy protecting group employed is not critical so long as thederivatized hydroxy group is stable to the condition of subsequentreaction(s) and can be removed at the appropriate point withoutdisrupting the remainder of the molecule. T. W. Greene and P. Wuts,Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, New York,N.Y., 1991, provide a list of commonly employed protecting groups.Preferred hydroxy protecting groups are tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy(TBDPS), tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy (TBDMS), triphenylmethyl (trityl),methoxytrityl, or an alkyl or aryl ester. A related term is "protectedhydroxy," which refers to a hydroxy protecting group.

The term "amino protecting group" as used in the specification refers tosubstituents of the amino group commonly employed to block or protectthe amino functionality while reacting other functional groups on thecompound. The species of amino-protecting group employed is not criticalso long as the derivatized amino group is stable to the condition ofsubsequent reaction(s) and can be removed at the appropriate pointwithout disrupting the remainder of the molecule. T. W. Greene and P.Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Chapter 7, provide a listof commonly employed protecting groups. See also J. W. Barton,Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, Chapter 2. Preferredamino-protecting groups are t-butoxycarbonyl, pthalimide, a cyclicalkyl, and benzyloxycarbonyl. The related term "protected amino" definesan amino group substituted with an amino protecting group as defined.

The term "--NH protective groups" as used in the specification refers tosub-class of amino protecting groups that are commonly employed to blockor protect the --NH functionality while reacting other functional groupson the compound. The species of protecting group employed is notcritical so long as the derivatized amino group is stable to thecondition of subsequent reaction(s) and can be removed at theappropriate point without disrupting the remainder of the molecule. T.W. Greene and P. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Chapter7, page 362-385, provide a list of commonly employed protecting groups.Preferred --NH protecting groups are carbamate, amide, alkyl or arylsulfonamide. The related term "protected --NH" defines a groupsubstituted with an --NH protecting group as defined.

The term "pharmaceutically effective amount", as used herein, representsan amount of a compound of the invention that is capable of inhibitingPKC activity in mammals. The particular dose of the compoundadministered according to this invention will, of course, be determinedby the particular circumstances surrounding the case, including thecompound administered, the route of administration, the particularcondition being treated, and similar considerations. The compounds canbe administered by a variety of routes including the oral, rectal,transdermal, subcutaneous, topical, intravenous, intramuscular orintranasal routes. For all indications, a typical daily dose willcontain from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg of the active compoundof this invention. Preferred daily doses will be about 0.05 to about 10mg/kg, ideally about 0.1 to about 5 mg/kg. However, for topicaladministration a typical dosage is about 1 to about 500 μg compound percm² of an affected tissue. Preferably, the applied amount of compoundwill range from about 30 to about 300 μg/cm², more preferably, fromabout 50 to about 200 μg/cm², and, most preferably, from about 60 toabout 100 μg/cm².

The term "treating," as used herein, describes the management and careof a patient for the purpose of combating the disease, condition, ordisorder and includes the administration of a compound of presentinvention to prevent the onset of the symptoms or complications,alleviating the symptoms or complications, or eliminating the disease,condition, or disorder.

The term "isozyme selective" means the preferential inhibition ofprotein kinase C beta-1 or beta-2 isozyme over protein kinase Cisozymes, alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, and eta. In general, thecompounds demonstrate a minimum of a eight fold differential (preferablya ten fold differential) in the dosage required to inhibit PKC beta-1 orbeta-2 isozyme and the dosage required for equal inhibition of the alphaprotein kinase C isozyme as measured in the PKC assay. The compoundsdemonstrate this differential across the range of inhibition and areexemplified at the IC₅₀, i.e., a 50% inhibition. Thus, isozyme-selectivecompounds inhibit the beta-1 and beta-2 isozymes of protein kinase C atmuch lower concentrations with lower toxicity by virtue of their minimalinhibition of the other PKC isozymes.

By virtue of their acidic moieties, the compounds of Formula I includethe pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts thereof. Such saltsinclude those derived from inorganic bases such as ammonium and alkaliand alkaline earth metal hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, and thelike, as well as salts derived from basic organic amines such asaliphatic and aromatic amines, aliphatic diamines, hydroxy alkamines,and the like. Such bases useful in preparing the salts of this inventionthus include ammonium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodiumbicarbonate, calcium hydroxide, methylamine, diethylamine,ethylenediamine, cyclohexylamine, ethanolamine and the like.

Because of the basic moiety, the compounds of Formula I can also existas pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts. Acids commonlyemployed to form such salts include inorganic acids such ashydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric and phosphoric acid, aswell as organic acids such as para-toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic,oxalic, para- bromophenylsulfonic, carbonic, succinic, citric, benzoic,acetic acid, and related inorganic and organic acids. Suchpharmaceutically acceptable salts thus include sulfate, pyrosulfate,bisulfate, sulfite, bisulfite, phosphate, mono-hydrogenphosphate,dihydrogenphosphate, metaphosphate, pyrophosphate, chloride, bromide,iodide, acetate, propionate, decanoate, caprylate, acrylate, formate,isobutyrate, heptanoate, propiolate, oxalate, malonate, succinate,suberate, sebacate, fumarate, maleate, 2-butyne-1,4 dioate, 3-hexyne-2,5-dioate, benzoate, chlorobenzoate, hydroxybenzoate, methoxybenzoate,phthalate, xylenesulfonate, phenylacetate, phenylpropionate,phenylbutyrate, citrate, lactate, hippurate, β-hydroxybutyrate,glycollate, maleate, tartrate, methanesulfonate, propanesulfonate,naphthalene-1-sulfonate, naphthalene-2-sulfonate, mandelate and the likesalts.

In addition to pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, other salts areincluded in the invention. They may serve as intermediates in thepurification of the compounds, in the preparation of other salts, or inthe identification and characterization of the compounds orintermediates.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of Formula I can alsoexist as various solvates, such as with water, methanol, ethanol,dimethylformamide, ethyl acetate and the like. Mixtures of such solvatescan also be prepared. The source of such solvate can be from the solventof crystallization, inherent in the solvent of preparation orcrystallization, or adventitious to such solvent. Such solvates arewithin the scope of the present invention.

It is recognized that various stereoisomeric forms of the compounds ofFormula I may exist; for example, W may contain a chiral carbon atom inthe substituted alkylene moiety. The compounds are normally prepared asracemates and can conveniently be used as such, but individualenantiomers can be isolated or synthesized by conventional techniques ifso desired. Such racemates and individual enantiomers and mixturesthereof form part of the present invention.

The invention also encompasses the pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugsof the compounds of Formula I. A prodrug is a drug which has beenchemically modified and may be biologically inactive at its site ofaction, but which may be degraded or modified by one or more enzymaticor other in vivo processes to the parent bioactive form. This prodrugshould have a different pharmacokinetic profile than the parent,enabling easier absorption across the mucosal epithelium, better saltformation or solubility, and/or improved systemic stability (an increasein plasma half-life, for example). Typically, such chemicalmodifications include the following:

1) ester or amide derivatives which may be cleaved by esterases orlipases;

2) peptides which may be recognized by specific or nonspecificproteases; or

3) derivatives that accumulate at a site of action through membraneselection of a prodrug form or a modified prodrug form; or anycombination of 1 to 3, supra. Conventional procedures for the selectionand preparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described, forexample, in H, Bundgaard, Design Of Prodrugs, (1985).

The synthesis of certain bis-indole-N-maleimide derivatives is describedin Davis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,614, herein incorporated byreference. Generally, the compounds of the present invention may beprepared as follows: ##STR13##

R₁, m, and halo are the same as previously defined. Halo is preferablychloro, bromo, or iodo. Compound III is preferably 2,3-dichloroN-methylmaleimide.

The reaction between Compound III and the indole, Compound IV, iscommonly known as a Grignard reaction. The reaction is carried out in aninert organic solvent, such as toluene, at a temperature between roomtemperature and the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture. Mostsignificantly, the reaction depicted in Scheme 1 is dependent on solventconditions. When carried out in a Toluene:THF:ether solvent system, thereaction provides Compound V in greater than 80 percent yield andgreater than 95 percent purity. The product is precipitated from thereaction mixture with ammonium chloride, NH₄ Cl. The resultingintermediate, Compound V, may be isolated by standard techniques.

Bis-3,4(3'-indolyl)-1N-methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione, Compound V, may then beconverted by alkaline hydrolysis to the corresponding anhydride of theFormula VI by techniques known in the art and described in Brenner etal., Tetrahedron 44: 2887-2892 (1988). Preferably, Compound V is reactedwith 5N KOH in ethanol at a temperature ranging from 25° C. to reflux.##STR14##

Compounds of the Formula V are generally more stable than the compoundsof the Formula VI. Therefore, it is preferred that Compounds V arereacted in accordance with Scheme 2 to produce the compounds of FormulaI. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the compounds ofthe Formula VI, may also be reacted according to Scheme 2. ##STR15## X,Y, and W are the same as previously defined. L is a good leaving groupsuch as chloro, bromo, iodo, mesyl, tosyl, and the like. L may also be ahydroxy or other precursor that may be readily converted to a goodleaving group by techniques known in the art. For example, the hydroxymay be readily converted to a sulfonic ester such as mesyl by reactingthe hydroxy with methanesulfonyl chloride to produce the mesylateleaving group.

The reaction represented by Scheme 2 is accomplished by any of the knownmethods of preparing N-substituted indoles. This reaction usuallyinvolves approximately equimolar amounts of the two reagents, althoughother ratios, especially those wherein the alkylating reagent is inexcess, are operative. The reaction is best carried out in a polaraprotic solvent employing an alkali metal salt or other such alkylationconditions as are appreciated in the art. When the leaving group isbromo or chloro, a catalytic amount of iodide salt, such as potassiumiodide may be added no speed the reaction. Reaction conditions includethe following: Potassium hexamethyldisilazide in dimethylformamide ortetrahydrofuran, sodium hydride in dimethylformamide.

Preferably, the reaction is carried out under slow reverse addition withcesium carbonate in either acetonitrile, dimethylformamide (DMF), ortetrahydrofuran (THF). The temperature of the reaction is preferablyfrom about ambient temperature to about the reflux temperature of thereaction mixture.

One skilled in the art would recognize that the reaction described inScheme 2 may be employed with compounds of the Formula VIIa:

    L--Y'

    L--X'                                                      VIIa

X' and Y' are a protected carboxy, protected hydroxy, or a protectedamine. After the alkylation of Scheme 2, X' and Y' may be converted tomoieties capable of coupling to form W. This method is the preferredmethod of preparing the compounds of Formula i wherein W is --S--,--O--, or NR₃. The coupling of X' and Y' to form the various ether,thioether or aminoether derivatives is known in the art and describedin, for example, Ito, et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull, 41(6): 1066-1073(1993); Karo, et al., J. Chem, Pharm. Bull. 34: 486 (1986); Goodrow, etal. Synthesis 1981: 457; Harpp, et al., J. Am. Chem Soc. 93: 2437(1971); and Evans, et al., J. Org. Chem. 50: 1830 (1985).

One skilled in the art would also recognize that the compounds ofFormula V may be converted to the compounds of Formula II in a two stepsynthesis as described in Scheme 3. ##STR16##

R₁, X, W, Y, V and L are the same as previously defined. L² is aprotected hydroxy or other group that may be readily converted to a goodleaving group by techniques known in the art. The coupling betweenCompound V or VI and Compound VIII is an alkylation as previouslydiscussed. The monoalkylated intermediate, IX, is deprotected, and L² isconverted to a leaving group. For example, if the hydroxy is protectedwith t-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), TBDMS is selectively removed usingacidic methanol. The resulting free hydroxy is then converted to aleaving group, such as an alkyl halide, preferably an alkyl iodide orbromide (CBr4 in triphenylphosphine) or sulfonate (mesyl chloride intriethylamine). The macrolide is then formed by alkylating under slowreverse addition to a solution of base, such as potassiumhexamethyldisilazide, or sodium hydride but preferably Cs₂ CO₃ in apolar aprotic solvent such as acetonitrile, DHF, THF at temperaturesranging from ambient to reflux.

Schemes 2 and 3 exemplify the process of the present invention. Mostunexpectedly, the compounds of the Formula II may be prepared insubstantially higher yield when the alkylation is carried out under slowreverse addition to Cs₂ CO₃ in a polar aprotic solvent. Slow reverseaddition involves combining a mixture of compound and alkylating agent(Scheme 2) or the compound (Scheme 3) with the base at a rate from about0.i mL/hour to about 2.0 mL/hour. The concentration of each reagent inthe mixture is about 1.5 molar to about 0.001 molar. When carried outwith the monoalkylated compound (Scheme 3) the concentration is fromabout 3 molar to about 0.001 molar. The slow addition results in aconcentration of reagents in the reaction vessel of about 0.01 molar to1.5 molar. One skilled in the art would recognize chat at a higher rateof addition a lower concentration of reagents could be used in thereaction. Likewise, at a slower rate of addition, a higher concentrationof reagents could be used in the reaction. Preferably, the compound isadded at about 0.14 mL/hour with the compound and the alkylating agentat 0.37 molar. It is preferred that the Cs₂ CO₃ be added in excess--mostpreferably a 4:1 ratio Cs₂ CO₃ to alkylating agent. Preferred polaraprotic solvents are acetonitrile, dimethylformamide (DMF), acetone,dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dioxane, diethylene glycol methyl ether(diglyme), tetrahydrofuran (THF), or other polar aprotic solvents inwhich the reagents are soluble. The reaction is carried out attemperatures ranging from about 0° C. to reflux.

One skilled in the art would recognize that the ratio of the mixture ofthe compound and alkylating agent is not critical. However, it ispreferred that the reagents are mixed in a ratio of 0.5 to 3 equivalentsof each other. Most preferably, the reagents are mixed 1:1.

When V is N--CH₃, Compound II is converted to the correspondinganhydride (V is O) by alkaline hydrolysis. Alkaline hydrolysis involvesreacting the compound with a base, such as sodium hydroxide or potassiumhydroxide, in C₁ -C₄ alcohol (preferably ethanol), DMSO/water,dioxane/water, or acetonitrile/water at a temperature ranging from about25° C. to preferably about reflux. The concentration of the reactants isnot critical.

The anhydride (V is O) is converted to the maleimide of Formula I byammonolysis. Ammonolysis involves reacting the anhydride with an excessof hexamethyldisilazane or an ammonium salt (ammonium acetate, bromide,or chloride) and C₁ -C₄ alcohol (preferably methanol) in an polaraprotic solvent such as DMF at room temperature. Preferably, thehexamethyldisilazane or an ammonium salt is reacted at a ratio greaterthan about 5:1 equivalents of anhydride.

Yet another method of preparing the compounds of Formula I is outlinedin Scheme 4. This method is particularly useful when W is --NH and X orY is a substituted alkylene. ##STR17##

Ac is acetyl. R₁, R₆, Z, n, and m are the same as previously defined.The alkylation of Compound VI with X occurs under conditions previouslydescribed and known in the art. Likewise, alkylation of Compound XI withthe α-halo ketone, Compound XII, occurs under conditions previouslydiscussed. The conversion of the anhydride to the maleimide, CompoundXV, occurs as previously described. For example, the anhydride may beconverted to the bis-indole maleimide by reacting the anhydride withhexamethyldisilazane and methanol in an inert organic solvent such asDMF at room temperature.

The protected hydroxy, represented by OAc, is readily hydrolyzed to forman alcohol (for example, K₂ CO₃ in aqueous methanol and THF). Theresulting alcohol is converted to a leaving group by methods appreciatedin the are such as reacting the alcohol with mesyl chloride intriethylamine at 0° C. The leaving group is substituted with an azide,such as NaN₃ in DMF at 50° C. The resulting azide is reduced to form theamine by employing Lindlar's catalyst in the presence of H₂. Themacrocycle is allowed to close via an intramolecular Schiff base. TheSchiff base is reduced under standard conditions, such as NaCNBH₃ orother reducing agents, to form the macrocycles of Formula I.

Yet another method of preparing the compounds of Formula I is outlinedin Scheme 5. This method is particularly useful when X, W, and Y aretaken together to form --(CH₂)_(n) --AA--. ##STR18## R₁, Ac, V, m, and nare the same as previously defined. P₁ represents an amino protectinggroup. R represents the variable side chain of an amino acid. Theacylation of Compound XVI with an activated amino acid (such as theparanitrophenyl ester, illustrated) is carried out using 18-crown-6 andKF in THF, DMF, or dimethoxyethane at room temperature as described inKlausner, et al., J. Chem. Soc. PERKIN I 607-631 (1977); and Nakagawa,et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105: 3709-3710 (1983). Closure of themacrocycle to form Compound XIX is carried out via formation of theintramolecular Schiff base as described in Scheme 4.

An additional method of preparing the compounds of Formula I and apreferred method when W is --CONH-- or --NHCO--, is described in Scheme6. ##STR19## R₁, AC, V, P₁, m, and n are the same as previously defined.The reaction between Compound XX and Compound XXI occurs in the presenceof ethyl diisopropylamine in methylene chloride at 0° C. The macrocycleis formed via an intramolecular alkylation of the free indole nitrogenand the α-halo carbonyl terminus under alkylating conditions previouslydescribed. The protected maleimide is deprotected as previouslydiscussed to produce the Compound XXIII.

An alternative method of preparing the intermediates, Compounds XI andXX is described in Scheme 7. ##STR20## Ac is the same as previouslydefined; P is an indole protecting group such as t-butoxycarbonyl orother indole protecting group known in the art. T. W. Greene and P.Wuts, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Chapter 7, page 385. Thereaction described in Scheme 7 is known as a Perkin Condensation. Thereaction is described in Hill et al., J. Med. Chem. 36: 21-29 (1993).Generally, oxalyl chloride is added at between -78° C. and the refluxtemperature of the mixture (preferably at 0° C.) to an anhydroussolution of Compound XXIV in inert organic solvent such as a halogenatedaliphatic hydrocarbon like methylene chloride. After about one to threehours, the volatiles are removed. The resulting solids are dissolved ina dry halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent, e.g. methylenechloride; and added to Compound XXV in the presence of an acid bindingagent, preferably a tertiary amine such as triethylamine, at roomtemperature.

The resulting anhydride, Compound XI is reacted in accordance withSchemes 4 or 5 or converted to the maleimide or a protected maleimide aspreviously discussed.

The protected hydroxy (preferably OAc, illustrated) of Compound XI maybe converted to an alcohol by techniques known in the art. For example,Compound XI is reacted with NH₄ OH or aqueous ammonia in DMF at elevatedtemperatures, e.g. 140° C. The resulting alcohol is converted to theamine, Compound XX, by methods known in the art. For example, thealcohol in dichloromethane and collidine under a nitrogen atmosphere isreacted with triflic anhydride in dichloromethane. After approximatelytwo hours, the mixture is treated with aqueous ammonia. The resultingamine, Compound XX is then reacted in accordance with Scheme 6.

An intermediate of the present invention is prepared in accordance withScheme 8. This scheme is particularly useful in preparing compoundswherein W is --O--, Y is substituted alkylene, and X is alkylene.##STR21##

R₈ is N3, NH-protecting group, amine protecting group, or hydroxyprotecting group; m is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3; and L is a goodleaving group such as chloro, bromo, iodo, mesyl, tosyl and the like. tis preferably mesyl. R₈ is preferably a protected hydroxy, mostpreferably -Otrityl. Scheme 8 presents a stereoselective synthesis ofthe linker portion (--X--W--Y--) of the macrocycle. The S-enantiomer isillustrated above; however, one skilled in the art would recognize thatthe complimentary enantiomer or mixture of enantiomers could be preparedin an analogous manner. Furthermore, one skilled in the art wouldrecognize that an analogous reaction with a methyl substituted epoxideor Grignard reagent could be used to prepare the various linkers(--X--W--Y--) containing a methyl substituted alkylene.

in the above reaction, the epoxide, Compound (XXVI), is opened using aGrignard reagent. The reaction is carried out in the presence of coppercomplexing agent; however other alkylating conditions are operative. Thereaction is carried out in an inert solvent at a temperature between-30° C. and reflux temperature of the reaction mixture. The reactionproduces Compound (XXVII) which may be further reacted withoutpurification. Compound (XXVII) is allylated under general conditionsknown in the art for preparing ethers. The reaction illustrated inScheme 8 is a Williamson synthesis. The formation of sodium alkoxideusing hah, NaOH, or KOH followed by allylation with allyl bromideproduces the diene, Compound (XXVIII). Compound (XXVIII) is converted tothe alcohol, Compound (XXIX), under standard techniques. For example,Compound (XXVlII) can be converted to an ozonide by treating with ozoneat low temperatures. The ozonide is then reduced with NaBH₄, LiAlH₄, BH₃or catalytic hydrogenation with excess H₂ to produce the alcohol,Compound (XXIX). The hydroxy moieties of Compound (XXIX) are convertedto leaving group, L, by standard techniques such as reacting the alcoholwith mesyl chloride in triethylamine.

In all of the above schemes, it is preferred that the reactions becarried out with appropriate protecting groups. In particular, it ispreferred that R_(l) is protected during the alkylations and/oracylations and subsequently deprotected. Likewise, if R₆ is to be a--NR₄ R₅, the reactions are best carried out with an amino protectinggroup. However, one skilled in the art recognizes that many of thesereactions can be performed without protecting groups if the appropriatereaction conditions, blocking reagents, or the like are used. It ispreferred that when W contains a hydroxy moiety, it is protected astert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy (TBDPS) or triphenylmethyl (trityl) duringthe alkylation or acylation of the indole. The resulting compounds ofFormula I may be isolated and purified by standard techniques.

Compounds III, IV, V, VII, VIIa, VIII, X, XII, XVII, XXI, XXIV, XXV,XXVI and any other reagents required for the above reactions, are eithercommercially available, known in the art, or can be prepared by methodsknown in the art. For example, Compound III may be prepared bytechniques described in Edge et al., Chem. and Ind. 130 (1991); CompoundIV is preferably prepared in situ by reacting an appropriatelysubstituted indole with an alkylmagnesium halide such as ethylmagnesiumbromide in a known manner.

The following examples and preparations are provided merely to furtherillustrate the invention. The scope of the invention is not construed asmerely consisting of the following examples. To aid one skilled in theart, the following structure is provided to illustrate with arepresentative compound the nomenclature adopted herein: ##STR22## Inthe following examples and preparations, melting point, nuclear magneticresonance spectra, mass spectra, high pressure liquid chromatographyover silica gel, N,N-dimethylformamide, palladium on charcoal,tetrahydrofuran, and ethyl acetate are abbreviated M.Pt., NMR, MS, HPLC,DMF, Pd/C, THF, and EtOAc respectively. The terms "NMR" and "MS"indicate that the spectrum was consistent with the desired structure.

Preparation 1 2,3-bis-(3'-indolyl)-furan-14-dione

Sodium ethoxide (3.56 g, 50 mmol) was added to a solution containing2,3-dichloromaleic anhydride (5.56 g, 33.3 mmol) and methylaminehydrochloride (3.50 g, 55.0 mmol) in 40 mL of acetic acid. The mixturewas stirred under a CaCl₂ drying tube at 25° C. for 16 hours and thenrefluxed for 4 hours. The cooled mixture was poured into water (350 mL)and extracted with EtOAc (3×75 mL). The combined organic extracts werewashed with 100 mL portions of saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, water and brineand dried (MgSO₄). The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure.The residue was recrystallized from ethanol to give 3.82 g (64%) of2,3-dichloro N-methylmaleimide as white crystals. Concentration of themother liquor and chromatography of the residue by radial preparativelayer chromatography (Chromatotron, Harrison Research), gave anadditional 0.81 g of 2,3-dichloro N-methylmaleimide, raising the yieldto 77%.

A solution of indole (10.5 g, 90 mmol) in 175 mL of dry toluene wastreated dropwise over 1 hour under N₂ with a solution of ethylmagnesiumbromide (1.0M in THF, 90 mL, 90 mmol). After the addition was complete,the light-green solution was heated at 40° C. for 30 minutes and thencooled to 25° C. A solution of 2,3-dichloro N-methylmaleimide (3.8 g, 21mmol) in 50 mL of toluene was added over a 30-minute period. Thereaction mixture was heated at 100° C. for 3 hours, then cooled to 25°C., and quenched with 100 mL of 20 percent aqueous citric acid. Thelayers were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (50mL). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. Thesolvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was taken upin 30 mL of acetone and allowed to stand at 5° C. for 40 hours. Thesolids were collected and washed with ice-cold ether to give 5.25 g (73percent) of 3,4-bis-(3'-indolyl)-1-methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione as a redsolid, M.Pt. 276°-278° C.

To a solution of 3,4-bis-(3'-indolyl)-1-methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione in 150mL of ethanol was added 5N KOH (50 mL). The mixture was stirred 4 hoursat 25° C. and diluted with 150 mL of water. Most of the ethanol wasevaporated under reduced pressure. The mixture was then acidified topH 1. The precipitated product was filtered and washed with water. Thecrude product was dissolved in a minimum of CH₂ Cl₂ and slowly filteredthrough a two-inch column of silica gel eluting with 50 percent EtOAc inhexane to give the titled compound (3.10 g 79 percent) as a red solid.M. Pt. 225°-228° C.

Preparation 2 Bis-2,6-dibromomethyl pyridine

To a mixture containing 2,6-pyridinedimethanol (735 mg, 5.28 mmol) andtriphenylphosphine (3.20 g, 12.2 mmol) in 35 mL of dry CH₂ C₁₂ at 0° C.under N2 was added N-bromosuccinimide (2.16 g, 12.2 mmol) in portionsover 10 minutes. The mixture was stirred l hour at 0° C. and thenallowed to stand at 5° C. for 16 hours. Most of the solvent was removedunder reduced pressure. Ether (100 mL) was added to the residue. Theether layer was decanted and concentrated to 20 mL then diluted with 3:1hexane/EtOAc (50 mL). The cloudy solution was placed in the refrigeratorovernight. After evaporation of the solvents in vacuo, the crude productwas recrystallized from hexane to afford 766 mg (55 percent) ofbis-2,6-dibromomethyl pyridine as a white crystalline solid. MS.

Preparation 3 (±)-3-(Benzyloxy)methylene-1,6-dibromohexane

A solution of potassium t-butoxide (1.0M in THF, 8.27 mL, 8.27 mmol) wasadded dropwise to a solution of (±)-3 cyclohexene-1-methanol (853 mg,7.60 mmol) in THF (35 mL) at 25° C. under N₂. The resultant mixture wasstirred at 25° C. for 30 minutes. Benzyl bromide (1.0 mL, 8.37 mmol) wasadded dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir at roomtemperature for 16 hours and then treated with saturated aqueous NH₄ Cl(5 mL) and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in ether (50 mL),washed with water (20 mL) and brine (20 mL), and dried over MgSO₄. Thesolvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was subjectedto radial chromatography on silica gel eluting with 5 percent EtOAc inhexane to give (±)-3-(benzyloxy)methyl-1-cyclohexene (1.42 g, 92percent) as a colorless oil. NMR

Ozone was bubbled through a solution of(±)-3-benzyloxymethylene-1-cyclohexene (1.35 g, 6.70 mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂(65 mL) at -78° C. until the blue color of unreacted ozone persisted.The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature, while drynitrogen was bubbled through the reaction. Borane-dimethyl sulfidecomplex (10.0M in THF, 2.7 mL, 27.8 mmol) was added via syringe overseveral minutes, and the reaction mixture was allowed to stand at roomtemperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was treated with 5percent aqueous HCl (1 mL) and stirred vigorously for one hour. SolidNaHCO₃ was added until the mixture tested basic to litmus paper. Themixture was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. The reaction mixture wasfiltered and concentrated to afford the crude(±)-3-(benzyloxy)methyl-1,6 hexanediol (1.49 g, ca. 100 percent) as anoil. This material, which showed essentially a single spot on TLCanalysis, Rf=0.25, 25 percent EtOAc in hexane, was used directly in thenext step without further purification.

N-Bromosuccinimide (2.49 g, 14.0 mmol) was added to a stirred mixture of(±)-3-(benzyloxy)methyl-1,6 hexanediol (1.45 g, 6.10 mmol) andtriphenylphosphine (3.67 g, 14.0 mmol) in dry CH₂ Cl₂ (50 mL) at 0° C.under B₂. After 12 hours, the reaction was concentrated and ether (100mL) was added to the residue. The mixture was stirred 15 minutes; andthe ether layer was decanted from the solids. This was repeated with 50mL of ether. The combined ether extracts were concentrated to 50 mL thendiluted with hexane (100 mL). After standing at 5° C. overnight, thesolution was decanted from the precipitated solids and concentrated toafford dibromide (±)-3-(benzyloxy)methyl-1,6-dibromohexane (1.09 g, 49percent) as a light yellow oil which was essentially homogeneous by TLC,Rf=0.75 (10 percent EtOAc in hexane). NMR

Preparation 41-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-butan-3-ol

To an anhydrous CH₂ Cl₂ (110 mL) solution of 3-buten-1-ol (15 g, 0.21mol) was added imidazole (28.6 g, 0.42 mol, 2 eq), followed bytert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (32 g, 0.22 mol). After 90 minutes, thereaction was complete as indicated by TLC (10% EtOAc/hexane). The CH₂Cl₂ solution was transferred to a separatory funnel, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (110 mL), washed with water (200 mL), and brine (200 mL). Theorganic layer was collected, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and the solventremoved to yield an oil (1-(O-TBDMS)-3-butene) which was taken on to thenext reaction. MS

The above oil was dissolved in a mixture of acetone (400 mL) and water(50 mL). N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide (85.2 g, 0.63 mol, 3 eq) was thenadded. The resulting slurry was cooled to 0° C., and after 10 minutes acatalytic amount of OsO₄ (0.3 g) was added. The resulting slurry wasallowed to stir overnight, gradually warming to room temperature. TLC(25% EtOAc/hexane) indicated the reaction was complete. The reactionmixture was quenched with sodium bisulfite, diluted with ether (1 L),washed with water (400 mL), and brine (400 mL). The organic layer wascollected. The aqueous layer extracted with ether (2×500 mL). Thecombined organic layers were dried, filtered, and concentrated to yield4-(O-TBDMS)-1,2-butanediol as an oil, which was taken on to the nextreaction.

The above oil was dissolved in anhydrous CH₂ Cl₂ (250 mL). Imidazole (30g, 0.44 mol, 2.5 eq) was added to the solution as a solid with stirring.The resulting solution was cooled to 0° C. After cooling 15 minutes, aCH₂ Cl₂ (50 mL) solution of tert-butyldiphenylsilyl chloride (50 g, 0.18mol, 1 eq) was added dropwise over 45 minutes. After the addition wascomplete, stirring was continued at 0° C. for 2.5 hours. The solutionwas transferred to a separatory funnel, diluted with CH₂ Cl₂ (250 mL),washed with water, brine, dried over MgSO₄, and filtered. The solventremoved under reduced pressure to give the crude product as an oil. Thecrude product was purified by eluting (10% EtOAc/hexane) it through ashort column of silica gel. The eluting solvent was removed in vacuo toleave a viscous oil of the titled intermediate. (78.1 g, 93 % overallyield). MS

Preparation 51-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(3-iodopropyloxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-butane

To a methylene chloride (20 mL)/cyclohexane (100 mL) solution of thealcohol of Preparation 4 was added allyl trichloroacetimidate (17.82 g,88 mmols, 2.2 eq) under an N₂ balloon followed bytrifluoromethanesulfonic acid (50 μL/g of starting material, 0.92 mL).After 20 hours, the solution was filtered, and the filtrate was washedwith saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, water, and then brine. The organic layerwas collected and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was removed to give anoil, which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel elutingwith hexanes and increasing the polarity of the mobile phase to 5% ethylacetate in hexanes over several liters to yield 19.27 g of the allylicether,1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(propeneoxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-butaneas a light brown oil (97% yield). MS.

To a THF (60 mL) solution of the above allyl ether (14.16 g, 28.38mmols, 1 eq) was added 9-BBN (9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, 0.5M solutionin THF, 60 mL, 30 mmols, 1.1 eq) dropwise under nitrogen. After 3 hours,TLC (10% EtOAc in hexanes) of the reaction showed that the startingmaterial had been consumed. To this solution was added 3M aqueous NaOH(10.41 mL, 31.22 mmols, 1.1 eq) followed by slow (1.5 hr) dropwiseaddition of 30% hydrogen peroxide (10.3 mL, 90.82 mmols, 3.2 eq). Thereaction temperature during the peroxide quench was kept below 50°C.(ice bath).

After 30 minutes, sodium chloride was added until the solution wassaturated. The organic layer was removed; the aqueous layer wasextracted with ether; the combined organic layers were dried andfiltered; and the filtrate concentrated to give an oil. The crude oilwas purified by flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with 10%EtOAc/hexanes and increasing the polarity to 20% EtOAc/hexanes afterabout 1.5 liters of solvent to yield 9.53 g of a light yellow oil (65%yield). MS.

To an anhydrous 0° C. ether (150 mL) solution of the above alcohol wasadded triethylamine (2.93 g, 28.91 mmols, 1.5 eq.) followed by dropwiseaddition of mesyl chloride (3.31 g, 28.91 mmols, 1.5 eq.) with vigorousstirring. After 3 hours at 0° C., TLC (10% EtOAc in hexanes) indicatedthe starting material was consumed. The reaction was diluted with ether,washed with water, brine, dried over MgSO₄, and the solvent removed. Theresulting oil was passed through a pad of silica eluting with 25%EtOAc/hexanes, and the eluant was concentrated. To an acetone (200 mL)solution of the resulting oil was added NaHCO₃ (0.17 g, 1.93 mmols, 0.1eq.), and NaI (28.88 g, 192.7 mmols, 10 eq.). After stirring 30 minutesat room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere, the reaction was heatedto 50° C. with a water bath. After 2.5 hours, TLC (10% EtOAc in hexanes)indicated that the mesylate was consumed. The reaction mixture wasdiluted with ether (500 mL), washed with cold saturated aqueous Na2SO₃,water, brine, dried (MgSO₄), and the solvent removed. The resulting oilwas passed through a pad of silica eluting with 5% EtOAc in hexanes togive the purified title compound 10.3 g as a colorless oil (85% yield).

Preparation 6 3-bromopropyl acetate

3-bromopropan-1-ol (0.54 moles, 75 g) in CH₂ Cl₂ (500 mL) at 0° C. underB₂ was treated with acetyl chloride (0.5 moles, 40.2 mL). To thissolution was added triethylamine (0.54 moles, 75 mL) in portions (5 mL)slowly by syringe. The reaction mixture was allowed to gradually (12hours) come to room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off, andthe filter was washed with CH₂ Cl₂. The filtrate washed with water (2x),brine (2x) and dried over Na₂ SO₄, and filtered. The filtrate wasconcentrated to give the titled acetate 91 g (93% yield) as an oil. MS

Preparation 7 N-(3-acetoxypropyl)-indole

To a stirred 0° C. DMF (400 mL) suspension of NaH (60% in mineral oil,0.705 moles, 28.2 g, 1.5 eq.) in a three-neck flask fitted with a refluxcondenser and an addition funnel was added a DMF (150 mL) solution ofindole (55 g, 0.47 moles) dropwise. After 30-60 minutes, a DMF (50 mL)solution of the alkyl halide, 3-bromopropyl acetate (170 g, 0.94 moles)was added. The reaction was heated at 50° C. for 6 hours and thenallowed to stir at room temperature for 5-15 hours.

The solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was partitioned betweenCH₂ Cl₂ and water. The organic layer was washed with 1N HCl (3×), water,brine, dried over Na₂ SO₄, and filtered. The filtrate was concentratedto give the titled alkyl indole 102 g as an oil which slowlycrystallized. MS

Preparation 8 N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-indol-3-yl-acetic acid

To a stirred acetone (800 mL) solution of indole-3-acetic acid (26.25 g,0.15 moles) was added cesium carbonate (48.9 g, 0.15 moles) followed byallyl bromide (15 mL, 0.17 moles, 1.16 eq.). After 12 hours the solventwas removed. The residue was partitioned between water and CHCl₃. Theorganic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na₂ SO₄, and filtered.The filtrate was concentrated to give the allyl ester 27.9 g (74% yield)as an oil.

To an acetonitrile (500 mL) solution of the allyl ester (27.9 g) wasadded di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (29.1 g, 0.133 moles, 1.2 eq.) and4-dimethylaminopyridine (1.36 g, 0.011 moles, 0.1 eq.). After 15minutes, the reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc (1.2 L) and washedwith 0.1N HCl, water (2×), and brine (2×). The organic layer was driedover Na₂ SO₄, filtered, and concentrated to give the BOC protected ester(32.9 g, 94%) as an oil which slowly crystallized.

To a CH₂ Cl₂ /EtOAc 10:3 (325 mL) solution of the BOC protected esterwas added sodium 2-ethylhexanoate (17.3 g, 0.104 moles),triphenylphosphine (4.93 g, 18.8 mmol, 0.18 eq.) and Pd(PPh3)4 (4.56 g,3.95 mmol, 0.04 eq.). After 1 hour, the solvent was removed. The residuewas partitioned between EtOAc and water. The basic aqueous layer wasback extracted with EtOAc, then ether, and then carefully acidified with0.10N HCl. The acidic aqueous layer was then extracted with EtOAc. Theorganic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over Na₂ SO₄, andfiltered. The filtrate was concentrated to give the BOC protected acid(21.8 g, 77% yield) as an oil which slowly crystallized. The yield ofthe titled compound was 53% over three steps. MS

Preparation 9(±)3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-3-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione

A DMF (50 mL) solution ofbis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione (3.41 g, 10.0 mmol)containing the dibromide3-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene-1,6-dibromohexane (5.64 g, 11mmol, prepared in a manner analogous to the benzoyl derivative inPreparation 2) was added using a syringe pump over a 15 hour period to aDMF (350 mL) slurry of Cs₂ CO₃ (11.2 g, 34.3 mmol) at 60° C. After 4hours from completion of the addition, the reaction was cooled to roomtemperature, poured into water (1.5 L), and extracted with CH₂ Cl₂(3×300 mL). The organic phase was washed with water, dried, filtered andconcentrated. The concentrate was purified by flash chromatographyeluting with 10% to 25% ethyl acetate/hexane to give the macrocycle3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-3-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione2.95 g (43% yield) as a red oil. MS

Preparation 10 (S)-methyl4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-(allyloxy)butyrate

To a cyclohexane (400 mL) solution of (S)-methyl4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-(hydroxy)butyrate (20.0 g, 53.7 mmol) wasadded allyl trichloroacetimidate (21.74 g, 107.4 mmol), followed bytrifluoromethanesulfonic acid (1 mL, 50mL/g alcohol) in five portionsover 30 minutes, with stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere. After 70hours, the solids that formed were filtered, and the filter cake waswashed with cyclohexane, and the volatiles were removed in vacuo. Theresultant oil was placed on a plug of silica and washed with hexane, andproduct eluted with 10% ethyl acetate/hexane. NMR indicated the presenceof residual imidate (ca. 10%); however the material was carried onwithout further purification. The residue yields 24.76 g of material, ofwhich approx. 22.2 g was desired product (100%). MS.

Preparation 11(S)-4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-(2-iodoethoxy)-1-iodobutane

DIBAL-H (231 mL, 1.0M in toluene, 231 mmol) was added dropwise over 40minutes to a solution of (S)-methyl4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-(allyloxy)-butyrate (23.8 g, 57 mmol)dissolved in anhydrous THF (1.0 L) at -75° C. under N₂. After stirring1.5 hours, the mixture was allowed to warm to -10° C. and quenched with5% water in methanol and a large amount of Celite. The quenched reactionmixture was filtered through a pad of Celite; the filtrate wasconcentrated and partitioned between ether and 20% citric acid. Theether layer was dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residual oil waspassed through a pad of silica eluting with chloroform to yield 20.6 g(93%) of (S) 4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-allyloxy-butan-1-ol.

To a methanol (500 mL) solution of (S)4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-allyloxybutan-1-ol (20.6 g, 53.6mmol) wasadded ozone at -78° C. for approximately 12 minutes. The reactionmixture developed a faint blue color, NaBH₄ (12.2 g, 321 mmol, 6 eq.)was added to the reaction vessel. The reaction was allowed to come toroom temperature. The volatiles were removed in vacuo. The residue waspassed through a plug of silica eluting with ethyl acetate to yield 16.4g (79%) of (S)4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-butan-1-ol as acolorless oil.

To an ether (600 mL) solution of (S)4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-butan-1-ol (15.7 g,40.4 mmol) at 0° C. under nitrogen was added triethylamine (16.8 mL, 121mmol) followed by mesyl chloride (9.38 mL, 121 mmol). After 3 hours, thesolution was filtered; the filtrate was washed with water (2×), brine(2×), dried over Na₂ SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue gave21.9 g (>99%) of the bismesylate as a yellow oil which was carried ondirectly. The bismesylate was dissolved in acetone (1.4 l), which hadbeen distilled from potassium carbonate. To this solution was added NaI(90.4 g, 603 mmol) and 0.05 eq. NaHCO₃ (170 mg, 2mmol). The reactionmixture was kept at 56° C. for 24 hours and filtered; and the filtratewas concentrated in vacuo. The residue was partitioned between ether and10% Na₂ SO₃, the ether layer was washed with brine, dried over Na₂ SO₄,and concentrated to give 17.9 g (73.2%) of(S)-4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-(2-iodoethoxy)-1-iodobutane as acolorless oil. The overall yield was 54%. MS: MW=608.39; observed: 559(M-tertbutyl; FD, CHCl₃). ##STR23##

Preparation 12(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1')-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4"-(methanesulfonyloxy)-butane)-(bis)-(3-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

3,4-(bis)-(3-indolyl)-1H-pyrrol-2,5-dione (10.04 g, 29.4 mmol) and(S)-4-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-3-(2-iodoethoxy)-1-(iodo)butane (17.9g, 29.4 mmol) were combined and dissolved in anhydrous DMF (80 mL). Thesolution was added via syringe pump addition over 72 hours to asuspension of cesium carbonate (38.3 g, 118 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (1.7L) at 50° C. under B₂. The DMF was removed in vacuo. The residue waspartitioned between CHCl₃ /1N HCl. The acidic layer was back-extractedwith chloroform and ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers werewashed with 1N HCl (1×), water (2×), brine (2×), dried over Na₂ SO₄, andreduced to give a magenta solid. The crude reaction mixture was usedwithout further purification.

The crude reaction mixture was suspended in ethanol (700 mL) and treatedwith 5N KOH (800 mL). The reaction temperature was raised to 80° C.After 72 hours the ethanol was removed in vacuo; the aqueous suspensionwas cooled to 0° C., and acidified with 5N HCl. The violet precipitatewas collected and passed through a silica plug eluting with ethylacetate. The eluant was concentrated to yield 8.7 g of the partiallysilylated maleimide as a magenta solid that was carried on to the nextreaction without further purification.

To a DMF (1 L) solution of the above anhydride (8.7 g, 19.7mmol) wasadded 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (41.6 mL, 197 mmol) and methanol(4 mL, 98.5 mmol) under nitrogen at ambient temperature. After 40 hours,the reaction was concentrated in vacuo , a 2:1 (v/v) MeCN/1N HClsolution (100 mL) was added. The residue was stirred for one hour. Theorganic solvent was removed; and the aqueous suspension was extractedwith ethyl acetate. The solvents were removed to yield 8.9 g ofmaleimide that was used without further purification.

To a CH₂ Cl₂ (800 mL) suspension of the above maleimide (8.9 g, 20 mmol)under nitrogen at ambient temperature was added pyridine (4.85 mL, 60mmol) and a slight excess of methanesulfonic anhydride (4.21 g, 24mmol). After 16 hours the reaction mixture was washed with 0.1N HCl,brine, and the organic layer was concentrated. The residue was passedthrough a plug of silica eluting with a slow gradient of 0-10% MeCN inCH₂ Cl₂. The eluant fraction containing the desired mesylate wasconcentrated to yield 2.8 g of the title compound as a magenta solid.Overall yield from the diiodide is 18%. MS: MW=520; observed 520 (FD,CHCl₃).

Preparation 13 3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene.)-1-cyclohexene

To a mixture of 3-cyclohexene-1-methanol (Aldrich, 13.0 mL, 0.11 mol),N,N-diisopropylethylamine (43 mL, 0.244 mol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine(2.70 g., 0.022 mol) in 375 mL of dry CH₂ CI₂ under B₂ at 25° C. wasadded tert-butyldiphenylchlorosilane (32 mL, 0.123 mol). The mixture wasstirred at 25° C. for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was washedsequentially with 150 mL portions of 1N HCl, water, brine and dried overanhydrous MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was loaded ontoa 4"×4" column of silica and slowly eluted using hexanes as eluant.3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1-cyclohexene, 33.6 g (86%), wasobtained as a colorless oil which was homogenous by TLC (Rf=0.4,hexanes).

Analytical calculated for C₂₃ H₃₀ OSi(0.3 H₂ O): C, 77.6; H 8.67. Found:C, 77.38; H, 8.72.

Preparation 14 3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-hexanediol

Ozone was bubbled through a well-stirred solution of3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1-cyclohexene, (18.0 g, 51.3mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂ (550 mL) at -78° C. until the blue color of unreactedozone persisted. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to 25 C. DryN₂ was bubbled through the solution for 30 minutes.Borane-dimethylsulfide complex (10.0M, 23 mL, 0.23 mol) was addeddropwise over 10 minutes. The mixture was slowly stirred under N₂ at 25°C. for 24 hours. 5% HCl (15 mL) was added, and the reaction mixture wasstirred for 1 hour. Solid NaHCO₃ was added until the mixture testedbasic to pH paper (external damp). After filtration, the filtrate waswashed with 200 mL portions of 5% NaHCO₃ and water and dried overanhydrous MgSO₄. After evaporation of the solvent under reducedpressure, the crude product was purified by chromatography through a4"×4" pad of silica gel eluting with EtOAc.3-(tert-(butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methylene)-1,6-hexanediol 17.8 g (90%)was obtained as a colorless viscous oil which was homogeneous by TLC(R_(f) 0.5, ether).

    ______________________________________                                        Found:      C, 70.80; H, 8.88.                                                            C, 70.72; H, 8.86.                                                ______________________________________                                    

Preparation 15 3-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene-1,6-dibromohexane

N-bromosuccinimide (19.3 g, 109 mmol) was added in portions over fiveminutes to a stirred solution containing3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-hexanediol (17.5 g, 45.2mmol) and triphenylphosphine (28.6 g, 109 mmol) in dry CH₂ CI₂ (550 mL)at 0° C. under N₂. The reaction mixture was stirred 5 hours at 0° C.then placed in the refrigerator at 5° C. for 16 hours. After removal ofmost of the solvent, dry ether (300 mL) was slowly added to the residue.The ether layer was decanted from the precipitated solids. The solidswere washed with an additional 200 mL of fresh ether. The combined etherlayer was concentrated (100 mL), triturated with 300 mL of hexanes, anddecanted from the precipitated solids. The solids were washed with 25%ether in hexanes and the combined organic layers were dried overanhydrous MgSO₄ and concentrated. The crude product was placed onto a4"×4" column of silica gel and eluted with 25% ether in hexanes to give3-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene-1,6-dibromohexane 20.1 g, (86%) asa colorless oil which was homogeneous by TLC (Rf=0.75, 10% EtOAc inhexanes).

1H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) 1.06 (s,9H), 1.35-2.10 (m, 7H), 3.55 (m,4H), 3.56(app d, 2H, J=4 Hz), 7.40 and 7.64 (m, 10H).

¹³ C NMR (75MHz, CDCl₃) 19.2, 26.9, 29.3, 30.0, 31.9, 33.8, 34.7, 38.5,65.0, 127.7, 129.7, 133.4, 135.5.

Preparation 16 (S)-(-)-3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol

A solution of LiAlH₄ (1.0M in THF, 75.8 mL, 75.8 mmol) was addeddropwise over 15 minutes to a cooled solution of the known ester(Ireland et al J. Org. Chem. 1992, 57(19), 5071-5073 and referencestherein),(S)-(-)-3-Cyclohexene-1-methyleneoxy-(S)-N-methyl-2-hydroxysuccinimide,(8.20 g, 34.5 mmol) in THF (90 mL). The reaction mixture was allowed towarm to room temperature and stirred at 25° C. for 2 hours, cooled andquenched with water and 1N NaOH. The mixture was filtered throughCelite. The solids were washed with THF (100 mL). After evaporation ofthe filtrate, under reduced pressure, the residue was dissolved into 150mL of ether and washed with water (2×50 mL) and brine (50 mL) and driedover anhydrous MgSO₄. Evaporation of the solvent gave(S)-(-)-3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol 3.24 g (83%) as a clear oil [a]D=-90:3(C=1, CH₃ OH). Both the TLC properties and ¹ H NMR spectrum of thismaterial was identical in all respects with that of the racemic material(Aldrich). ¹ H NMR (300MHZ, CDCI₃), 1.21-1.42 (m, 2H), 1.68-1.88 (m,3H), 2.04-2.21 (m, 3H), 3.54 (brs, 2H), 5.69 (s, 2H).

Preparation 17(S)-(-)-3-tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1-cyclohexene

(S)-(-)-3-Cyclohexene-1-methanol 3.17 g, 28.3 mmol) 10 was treated withtert-butyldiphenylchlorosilane (8.15 mL, 31.1 mmol),N,N-diisopropylethylamine (10.9 mL, 62.3 mmol) and dimethylaminopyridine(1.03 g, 8.5 mmol) in CH₂ CI₂ (100 mL) to afford, after workup andchromatography, silyl ether(S)-(-)-3-tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1-cyclohexene 8.73 g (88%)as a clear oil. Both the TLC properties and 1H NMR spectra of thismaterial were identical in all respects with racemic silyl ether3-tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1-cyclohexene.

¹ H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) 1.05 (s,9H), 1.29 (m, 1H), 1.71-2.18 (m, 4H)3.54 (d, 2H, J=6 Hz), 5.66 (br s, 2H), 7.38 and 7.66 (m, 10H).

Preparation 18(S)-(-)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-hexanediol

Following the same procedure described for the preparation of theracemic diol 3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-hexanediol,silyl ether (S)-(-)-3-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1-cyclohexene(8.35 g, 23.9 mmol) was ozonized, then reductively worked-up (BH₃ -Me2S)to afford(S)-(-)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-hexanediol˜5.01 g(55%) as a colorless viscous oil, which was homogenous by TLC (Rf=0.4EtOAc). ¹ H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) 1.05 (s, 9H), 1.21-1.81 (m,7H), 2.32 (brs, 2H), 3.50-3.75 (m, 6H), 7.32 and 7.70 (m, 10H).

Preparation 19(S)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxyethylene)-1,6-dibromohexane

Following the same procedure described for the preparation of racemicdibromide, 3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethyl)-1,6-dibromohexane,(S)-(-)-3-(tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethyl)-1,6-hexanediol (4.85 g,12.53 mmol) was reacted with N-bromosuccinimide (5.35 g, 30.1 mmol) andtriphenylphosphine (7.87 g, 30.1 mmol) CH₂ Cl₂ (150 mL) at 0° C. toafford compound(S)-(-)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethyl)-1,6-dibromohexane 4.81(75%) as a clear, colorless oil which was homogenous by TLC (Rf=0.8, 10%EtOAc in hexanes. Both the TLC properties and ¹ H spectra of thiscompound were identical in all respects with racemic isomer. MS.

¹ H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) 1.06 (s,9H), 1.35-2.10 (m, 7H), 3.55 (m,4H),3.56 (app d, 2H, J=4 Hz), 7.40 and 7.64 (m, 10H).

Preparation 20(R)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-dibromohexane

Following the same procedure described for the preparation of(S)-(-)-3-(tert-butyl-diphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-dibromohexane,(S)-(-)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-hexanediol (5.05 g,13.04 mmol) was reacted with N-bromosuccinimide (5.57 g, 31.32 mmol) andtriphenylphosphine (8.21 g, 31.32 mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂ (160 mL) at 0° C. toafford chiral dibromide(R)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-dibromohexane, 5.85 g,(87%) as a clear, colorless oil which was homogenous by TLC (R_(f) =0.8,10% EtOAc in hexanes. MS.

¹ H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) 1.06 (s,9H), 1.35-2.10 (m, 7H), 3.55 (m,4H),3.56 (app d, 2H, J=4 Hz), 7.40 and 7.64 (m, 10H).

Preparation 21 2-allyl-4-pentenoic acid

To a stirred suspension of sodium methoxide (59.4 g, 1.1 mol) in drymethanol (1 L) at 0° C. was added dimethylmalonate (57 mL, 0.5 mol)dropwise under N₂. After 30 minutes, allyl bromide (95 mL, 1.1 mol) wasadded in one portion. After 14 hours, at ambient temperature thereaction was concentrated in vacuo. The residue dissolved in methanol(0.5 L) and treated with 5N NaOH (500 mL). After stirring for 24 hours,the methanol was removed in vacuo, and the basic aqueous layer washedwith ethyl acetate (2×). The aqueous layer was acidified with 5N HCl(0.5 L) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extract was washedwith water (2×), brine, dried over Na₂ SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo toa white solid. Trituration of the resulting solid with pentane andatmospheric drying gave 51.4 g (57% yield) of the diacid. The diacid (50g, 274 mmol) was heated (150° C.) until CO₂ evolution ceased (about 2hours). The residual brown oil was eluted with ethyl acetate through asmall silica plug to yield the title compound 32.8 g (85%) as a goldenoil. The overall yield for the three steps is 48%. ¹ H NMR: (CD₃ CN) 62.4 (m, 4H); 2.5 (m, 1H); 5.05 (dd, 2H); 5.15 (dd, 2H); 5.9 (m, 2H);12.8 (br, 1H). MS.

Preparation 22 3-(tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-pentane-1,5-diol

To a 0° C. stirred suspension of LAH (4.33 g, 114 mmol) in anhydrousether (125 mL) was added 2-allyl-4-pentenoic acid (16.0 g, 114 mmol)dropwise under N₂. The reaction mixture was allowed to come to roomtemperature over. After 16 hours, the reaction was quenched with ethanol(25 mL) followed by 4N HCl (40 mL), extracted, extracted with ether(2×), dried, and concentrated in vacuo to give a the alcohol,2-allyl-4-penten-1-ol, as a colorless oil 11.7 g (82%) that was usedwithout further purification.

To a dry CH₂ Cl₂ (0.5 mL) solution of 2-allyl-4-penten-1-ol (11.7 g, 93mmol), was added imidazole (12.6 g, 185 mmol) followed by chlorotertbutyldiphenylsilane (25.48 g, 93 mmol), and stirred for 16 hours.The reaction was filtered, the filtrate was washed with water, brine,dried and concentrated in vacuo to give the silylether, 3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-pent-1,4-ene, 32.5 g (96%) as an oilthat was used without further purification.

Ozone was bubbled through a -78° C. dry methanol (500 mL) solution of3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,5-pentanediol (17 g, 47 mmol)until a blue tint persisted (30 minutes). The reaction was purged withnitrogen (20 min.) and NaBH₄ (17.6 g, 47 mmol) was added. The cold bathwas removed and the reaction brought to room temperature. The reactionwas concentrated in vacuo and the residue partitioned between ether andbrine. The ether layer was concentrated and the residue eluted over asilica plug with 0-50% ethyl acetate/hexanes. The minor component waspooled and concentrated to yield the diol ,3-(tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-pentane-1,5-diol, 3.8 g (22%) ofthe desired diol as a colorless oil. Overall the yield for the threesteps is 17%. MS.

¹ H NMR: δ1.17 (s, 9H); 1.6 (dt, 4H); 1.83 (m, 1H); 2.14 (s, 2H); 3.6(m, 6H); 7.41 (t, 4H); 7.45 (t, 2H); 7.66 (d, 4H).

Preparation 231,5-diiodo-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-pentane

To a 0° C. ether (300 mL) solution of3-(tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-pentane-1,5-diol (6.9 g, 19 mmol)was added methanesulfonyl chloride (4.3 mL, 56 mmol) followed by Et₃ N(7.7 mL, 56 mmol). After 3-16 hours, gradually warming to ambienttemperature, the reaction was washed with water, brine, dried overMgSO₄, and concentrated to give the1,5-bis(methanesulfonyloxy)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-pentane8.5 g (90%) as a colorless oil that was used without furtherpurification.

To a freshly distilled acetone (500 mL) solution of the bis-mesylate,1,5-bis(methanesulfonyloxy)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-pentane,(8.5 g, 16 mmol) was added excess NaI (36.1 g, 241 mmol) and NaHCO₃ (67mg, 0.8 mmol). The reaction was refluxed (57° C.) for 72 hours, cooledto room temperature and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated invacuo. The residue was diluted with ether, washed with 10% Na₂ SO₃,dried, and concentrated to give the title compound 7.4 g (78% yield) asa colorless oil. The overall yield for two steps is 70%. MS.

¹ H NMR: (DMSO--d₆) δ1.06 (s, 9H); 1.78 (m, 1H); 1.8-2.06 (m, 4H); 3.13(m, 4H); 3.57 (d, 2H); 7.38-7.46 (m, 3H); 7.64 (d, 2H).

Preparation 24 2-(2'-Bromoethoxy)-benzylbromide

Ozone was bubbled through a -78° C. dry methanol solution of2-(allyloxy)benzyl alcohol (LaChapelle et al Tetrahedron, 44(16),5033-5044 (1988)) (7.0 g, 43 mmol) for 13 minutes, checking the reactionTLC profile every 2 minutes for complete disappearance of the startingolefin (Rf=0.8, 75% EtOAc/hexane). The reaction mixture was purged withnitrogen, NaBH₄ (9.7 g, 0.25 mol) was added and the reaction temperaturebrought to 0° C. After 30 minutes, the reaction was warmed to roomtemperature, concentrated, diluted with ether, washed with water, brine,dried and concentrated to a residue. The residue was eluted through apad of silica with EtOAc/hexanes (gradient elution 25%-75% EtOAC).Evaporation of the eluting solvent gave the diol,2-(2'-hydroxyethoxy)-benzyl alcohol, (4.8 g, 67%) as an oil. MS: MW=168;observed 168, FD, CHCl₃).

To a 0° C. dry CH₂ Cl₂ (250 mL) solution of the diol,2-(2'-hydroxyethoxy)-benzyl alcohol, (4.38 g, 26 mmol) was addedtriphenylphosphine (15.8 g, 60 mmol) and N-bromosuccinamide (10.7 g, 60mmol). After 2 hours at 0° C., the reaction was complete by TLC (20%EtOAc/CH₂ Cl₂) analysis, and the reaction was concentrated in vacuo. Theconcentrate was eluted (hexane--15% EtOAc/hexane gradient) through a padof silica gel. Concentration of eluting fractions gave the dibromide,2-(2'-Bromoethoxy)-benzylbromide, (6.91 g, 90% yield) as a colorlesssolid. MS.

¹³ C-NMR (CHCl₃, 75.4 MHz) δ28.7, 29.1, 68.2,, 112.3, 121.6, 126.8,130.2, 131.1, 156.0.

¹ H-NMR (CHCl₃, 200 MHz) 6 3.72 (2H, t, J=5 Hz), 4.34 (2H, t, J=5 Hz),4.59 (2H, s), 6.84 (H, d, J=7 Hz), 6.95 (H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.25-7.38 (2H).

Preparation 251-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(2-iodoethoxy)-4-(tertbutyldiphenyl)butane

The allyl ether,1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(allyloxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenyl)-butane,(21.6 g, 43.4 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (500 mL) and cooled to-78° C. under nitrogen. Ozone was bubbled into the reaction and after 11minutes it was judged complete by TLC(9 hexane/1 ethyl acetate). Sodiumborohydride (9.9 g, 6 eq) was added and after 5 minutes the reaction wasallowed to warm to room temperature. The methanol was removed in vacuo.The residue was suspended in ether (800 mL). The ether was washed withwater, and the aqueous backwashed with ether. The combined organics werewashed with brine, dried (Na₂ SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuoto give an oil. The material was passed through a silica pad with 5%ethyl acetate/hexane followed by elution of the product with 25% ethylacetate/hexane to provide 11.0 g (50% yield) of the alcohol,1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(2-(hydroxy)ethoxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenyl)-butaneas a light yellow oil. MS. NMR.

To an anhydrous ether (200 mL) solution of the alcohol,1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(2-(hydroxy)ethoxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenyl)-butane,(11.0 g, 21.9 mmol) under nitrogen at 5° C. was added triethylamine (4.6mL, 1.5 eq) and methanesulfonyl chloride (2.5 mL, 1.5 eq). After 1.5hours the reaction was complete by TLC (5% ethylacetate/dichloromethane). The reaction was diluted with ether (250 mL),washed with water (2×), brine (2×), dried (Na₂ SO₄), filtered andconcentrated in vacuo to give an oil. The material was passed through asilica pad eluting with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane followed by 25% ethylacetate/hexane to provide 11.6 g (91% yield) of the mesylate,1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(2-(methanesulfonyloxy)ethoxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenyl)-butaneas an oil. MS. NMR.

To an acetone (300 mL) solution of the mesylate,1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(2-(methanesulfonyloxy)ethoxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenyl)-butane,(11.6 g, 20 mmol) under nitrogen was added sodium iodide (44 g, 15 eq)and sodium bicarbonate (170 mg, 0.1 eq). The mixture was refluxed for 18hours followed by removal of the acetone in vacuo. The resulting residuewas suspended in ether, washed with water (2×), and the aqueousbackwashed with ether. The combined ether portions were washed with 10%sodium sulfite solution, brine (2×), dried (MgSO₄), filtered andconcentrated in vacuo to provide 10.7 g (87% yield) of the title iodideas an oil which was used without further purification. MS. NMR.

Preparation 261-(2-(methylsulfonyloxy)-ethoxy)-2-((methylsulfonyloxy)ethyl)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)propane

To a stirred solution of dimethyl allyl malonate (34 g, 0.2 mol) int-butyl alcohol (0.5 L) was added solid sodium borohydride (19 g, 0.5mol). The reaction was heated (70° C.) and methanol (162 mL) was addeddropwise over a period of 1 hour. The mixture was stirred overnight atroom temperature. Water (20 mL) was added to destroy the excessborohydride. The resulting mixture was filtered through celite. Thefilterate was concentrated (100 mL), and extracted with ethyl acetate(20 mL×4). The combined extracts were dried over MgSO₄ and concentratedunder reduced pressure to afford relatively clean diol,2-allylpropan-1,3-diol, (19 g, 83% yield) that was carried over to nextreaction without any further purification.

To a stirred solution of diol, 2-(2-propen-1-yl)propan-1,3-diol, (23.2g, 0.19 mol) in toluene (1 L) was added anisaldehyde (27.3 g, 0.20 mol)and PPTS acid (4 g, 10 mol %). The flask was equipped with a Dean Starktrap, and the reaction mixture was refluxed. After 5 hours, the reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted with ether (1 L), washedwith sat. NaHCO₃ (50 mL×3), water (50 mL×3), and brine (50 mL). Theorganic layer was dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated under reducedpressure to give a residue. The residue was eluted through a shortsilica gel column with 10% ethyl acetate in hexane and evaporation ofthe eluting solvent gave the anisylidene,1,3-O-anisylidene-2-(2-propen-1-yl)propane (40 g, 89%). (R_(f) =0.62(25% ethyl acetate in hexane))

To a stirred mixture of anisylidene,1,3-O-anisylidene-2-(2-propene-1-yl)propane (20.0 g, 85.3 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (500 mL) and pH 7.0 buffer (25 mL) at 0° C. was added DDQ (38.7 g,170.7 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred vigorously and allowed towarm up to room temperature. After 12 hours, the reaction was dilutedwith ether (1L), washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ (200 mL×2), and 10% aq. Na₂SO₃ (200 mL×3), dried, and concentrated under reduced pressure to aresidue. The residue was eluted through a silica gel column with ethylacetate/hexane (10%-25% ethyl acetate gradient) and evaporation of theeluting solvent gave the anizoate containing alcohol,3-O-(4-methoxybenzoate)-2-(2-propen-1-yl)-propan-1-ol (12.7 g, 61%).(R_(f) =0.14 (25% ethyl acetate in hexane). NMR.

To a stirred solution of alcohol,3-O-(4-methoxybenzoate)-2-(2-propene-1-yl)-propan-1-ol, (16.58 g, 66.32mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂ (250 mL) was added trichloroallyl imidate (24.80 g,132.64 mmol) in cyclohexane (500 mL). To this mixture was addedtrifluoroacetic acid (1 mL) under a N₂ atmosphere. After 12 hours awhite precipitate had formed. The reaction was filtered. The filteratewas diluted with ether (500 mL), washed with water (100 mL×3), and brine(100 mL), dried, and concentration under reduced pressure to a residue.The residue was eluted through a silica gel column with ethylacetate/hexane (0%-25% ethyl acetate gradient). The diene,1-(2-propene-1-oxy)-2-(2-propen-1-yl)-3-O-(4-methoxybenzoate)-propane(24 g) containing some acetamide was taken to next step without anyfurther purification. (R_(f) =0.38 (25% ethyl acetate in hexane)

The ester,1-(2-propene-1-oxy)-2-(2-propene-1-yl)-3-O-(4-methoxybenzoate)-propane,(24 g) was dissolved in THF (60 mL) and methanol (100 mL) and 1N aqueousNaOH (40 mL) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred overnightfollowed by removal of methanol and THF under reduced pressure. Theconcentrated reaction mixture was diluted with ether (250 mL), extractedwith ether (100 mL×3), dried, and concentrated under reduced pressure togive a residue. The residue was eluted through a silica gel column with10% ethyl acetate/hexane and evaporation of the eluting solvent gave thealcohol, 1-(2-propene-1-oxy)-2-(2-propene-1-yl)-propan-3-ol (4.10 g, 30%for 2 steps). NMR. R_(f) =0.23 (25% ethyl acetate in hexane)

To a stirred CH₂ Cl₂ (150 mL) solution of alcohol,1-(2-propene-1-oxy)-2-(2-propene-1-yl)-propan-3-ol (4.10 g, 26.2 mmol)was added imidazole (2.70 g, 39.7 mmol) under a N₂ atmosphere. After theimidazole had dissolved tert-butylchlorodiphenylsilane (8.24 g, 29.97mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂ (50 mL) was added over 10 minutes. After stirring 12hours, the reaction was diluted with ether (100 mL) quenched with water(100 mL), and extracted with ether (100 mL×3). The combined organicphase was washed with brine (100 mL), dried, and concentrated underreduced pressure to give a residue. The residue was eluted through ashort silica gel column with ethyl acetate/hexane (0% to 25% ethylacetate gradient) and evaporation of the eluting solvent gave the silylether, 1-(2-propene-1-oxy)-2-(2-propene-1-yl)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-propane(7.41 g, 72% yield). R_(f) =0.76 (25% ethyl acetate in hexane).

Ozone was bubbled through a -78° C. methanol (500 mL) solution of diene,1-(2-propene-1-oxy)-2-(2-propene-1-yl)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-propane,(7.41 g, 18.80 mmol). After the disappearance of the starting material(TLC, 25% ethyl acetate/hexane), the reaction mixture was purged with N₂and sodium borohydride (2.13 g, 56.30 mmol) was added. The reaction waswarmed to room temperature. After 12 hours, the reaction wasconcentrated. The white residue was quenched with water, and extractedwith ethyl acetate (100 mL×3). The combined organic phase was washedwith brine, dried, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give aresidue. The residue was eluted through a short silica gel column withethyl acetate/hexane (10% to 50% ethyl acetate gradient) and evaporationof the eluting solvent gave the 1,7-diol,1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-propane(5.48 g, 72% yield). R_(f) =0.21 (50% ethyl acetate in hexane). NMR.

To a stirred CH₂ Cl₂ (400 mL) solution of diol,1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-propane(5.48 g, 13.6 mmol) under N₂ atmosphere was added TEA (11.2 mL, 78mmol), followed by dropwise addition of methane sulfonyl chloride (3 mL,39.00 mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂ (100 mL) over a period of 30 minutes. After 12hours, the reaction was diluted with ether (500 mL), washed with water(100 mL×3), brine (100 mL), dried, and concentrated under reducedpressure to a residue. The residue was eluted through a short silica gelcolumn with ethyl acetate/hexane (10% to 50% ethyl acetate gradient) andevaporation of the eluting solvent gave the bismesylate,1-(2-(methylsulfonyloxy)-ethoxy)-2-((methylsulfonyloxy)ethyl)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-propane(7.40 g, 97%). R_(f) =0.55 (50% ethyl acetate in hexane). NMR. ##STR24##

EXAMPLE 13,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-ethoxyethyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione.

Sodium hydride (60 percent dispersion in mineral oil, 113 mg, 2.82 mmol)was added in portions over 15 minutes to a solution of3,4-bis(3'-indolyl)furan-2,5-dione (337 mg, 1.02 mmol) in 5 mL of dryDMF under N₂. The mixture was stirred 1.5 hours and then diluted with 5mL of DMF. Bis 2,2'-dibromo-ethyl ether (0.14 mL, 1.13 mmol) was addeddropwise to the green solution. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30minutes at 25° C. and then heated at 50° C. overnight. The cooledmixture was poured into dilute aqueous citric acid (75 mL) and extractedwith EtOAc (2×40 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed withwater (3×20 mL) and brine (20 mL), and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. Thesolvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was passedthrough a short column of silica gel (50 percent EtOAc/hexanes), andthen subjected to radial preparative-layer chromatography (Chromatotron)eluting with 50 percent EtOAc-hexanes to afford 82 mg (20 percent) of2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-ethoxyethyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-furan-2,5-dione as aburgundy solid, M. Pt. >320° C.

A solution of2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-ethoxyethyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-furan-2,5-dione (58mg, 0.15 mmol) in DMF (1.5 mL) under N₂ was treated with a mixture of1,1,1,3,3,3,-hexamethyldisilazane (0.33 mL, 1.45 mmol) and CH₃ OH (23mg, 0.73 mmol) (premixed 10 minutes). After stirring for 16 hours atroom temperature, the mixture was poured into water (20 mL) andextracted with EtOAc (3×5 mL). The combined organic extracts were washedseveral times with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The residuewas purified by radial chromatography eluting with 3 percent CH₃ OH inCHCl₃ to afford3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-ethoxyethyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(41.5 mg, 72 percent) as a violet solid, M. Pt. >320° C. MS Calculatedfor C₂₄ H₁₉ N₃ O₃ : 397.1426.

Found: 397.1438. ##STR25##

EXAMPLE 23,4-[(N,N'-1,1')-((3"-propoxy)-3'"(O)-4'"(hydroxy)butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione

To a stirred DMF (125 mL) solution ofbis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione (4.35 g, 12.8 mmol)containing cesium carbonate (8.31 g, 25.5 mmol) was added dropwise over15 minutes a DMF (20 mL) solution of1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3-(3-iodopropyloxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-butane(4.0 g, 6.4 mmol) under N₂. After 3 hours, TLC (1:1 ethylacetate/hexane) indicated consumption of the starting iodide. Thereaction was diluted with ethyl acetate (200 mL) and washed with water.The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (200 mL); and thecombined organic layers were dried and concentrated. The concentrate waspurified by flash chromatography eluting with 10% to 25% ethylacetate/hexane to give the desired monoalkylated product3-[(N-1-(3-propoxy-3(O)-4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-butane]4-(3'-indolyl)-1(Methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione3.94 g (69% yield) as a red oil. MS

To a methanol (100 mL) solution of the above alkylation product (3.14gr., 3.74 mmol) was added toluenesulfonic acid (60 mg, 2%). After 2hours, TLC (50% ethyl acetate/hexane) indicated consumption of thestarting material. The reaction was concentrated to half the volume,diluted with ethyl acetate (300 mL), washed with 1N NaOH, brine, dried,and concentrated. The concentrate was purified by eluting through a padof silica with 50% ethyl acetate/hexane to give the desired alcohol3-[(N-1-(3propoxy-30-4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-butan-1-ol]-4-(3'-indolyl)-1(Methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione1.76 g (65% yield) as a red foam. MS

To a 0° C. ether solution (200 mL) of the above alcohol3-[(N-1-(3-propoxy-30-4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxybutan-1-ol]-4-(3'-indolyl)-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(1.76 g, 2.4 mmol) was added triethylamine (0.5 mL, 1.5 eq), followed bymesyl chloride (0.28 mL, 1.5 eq). The reaction was brought to roomtemperature and was complete after 1 hour. The reaction was diluted withether (200 mL), washed with water, brine, dried, and concentrated. Theconcentrate was passed through a pad of silica eluting with 50% ethylacetate/hexane, to give the mesylate product which was used immediately.

To an acetone (250 mL) solution of the above mesylate was added sodiumiodide (3.6 g, 10 eq) and NaHCO₃ (20 mg). After stirring 4 hours,starting material still existed (TLC, 50% ethyl acetate/hexane) andadditional amount of sodium iodide (10 eq) was added, and the reactionwas heated at 60° C. After 4 hours, the starting material was consumed(TLC, 50% ethyl acetate/hexane). The reaction was concentrated, dilutedwith ethyl acetate (250 mL), washed with water, 10% sodium sulfite,dried, and concentrated. The concentrate was purified by passage througha pad of silica gel eluting with 50% ethyl acetate/hexane to give thedesired iodide as an oil3-[(N-1-(3-propoxy-3(O)-4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-1-iododbutane]-4-(3'-indolyl)-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione1.71 g (85% yield). MS

A DMF (10 mL) solution of the above iodide3-[(N-1(3-propoxy-3(O)-4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-1-iododbutane]-4-(3'-indolyl)-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(2.0 g, 2.4 mmol) was added slowly by syringe pump over 80 hours to aDMF (400 mL) slurry of cesium carbonate (3.12 g, 9.6 mmol). After 3hours from completion of the addition, TLC (50% ethyl acetate/hexane)indicated consumption of the starting material. The reaction was dilutedwith ethyl acetate (1 L) washed with water and brine. The aqueousportion was extracted with ethyl acetate (500 mL). The combined organiclayers were concentrated and the concentrate was purified by passagethrough a pad silica eluting with (50% ethyl acetate/hexane).Concentration of the eluant gave the desired macrocycle3,4-[(N,N'-1,1')-((3"-propoxy)-3'"(O)-4'"(hydroxy)butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione1.65 g (97% yield). MS

To an ethanol (100 mL) solution of the above N-methyl maleimide,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1')-((3"-propoxy)-3'"(O)-4'"(hydroxy)butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione (1.7 g, 2.4 mmol) was added 5N KOH (50 mL).After 12 hours, the reaction was heated at 50° C. for 2 hours. Thereaction was cooled to room temperature, concentrated, diluted withethyl acetate, and washed with water. The organic phase was dried andconcentrated to give the desired anhydride2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-propoxy-3'"(O)-4'"-hydroxybutane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-1,4-dione1.37 g (83% yield) as a red solid. MS

To a DMF (100 mL) solution of the above anhydride2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-((3"-propoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(hydroxy)butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-1,4-dione(1.37 g, 3 mmol) was added 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (12.6 mL, 20eq) and methanol (1.21 mL, 10 eq). After 24 hours, the starting materialhad been completely consumed (TLC, 50% ethyl acetate/hexane). Thereaction was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with 1N HCl, water,dried, and concentrated. The concentrate was stirred in 1N HCl or withcesium fluoride to remove residual TMS group. The reaction was dilutedwith ethyl acetate, washed with water, dried, and concentrated to givethe desired maleimide,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1')-((3"-propoxy)-3'"(O)-4'"-(hydroxy)butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione1.02 g (75% yield) as a red solid. MS

¹ H-NMR: (300 MHz in d₆ -DMSO): 2.1 (m, 4H), 2.4 (m, 2H), 3.28 (br, m),3.4 (m, 1H), 4.25 (m, 4H), 4.5 (t, J=6 Hz, 1H), 7.0-7.9 (m, 10H), 11.0(s, 1H)

¹³ C-NMR:(75 MHz in d₆ -DMSO): 20.9, 28.9, 30.3, 30.9, 34.3, 40.2, 41.6,42.4, 62.4, 65.9, 78.1, 104.0, 104.1, 110.0, 110.1, 119.6, 119.7, 121.4,121.8, 24.8, 126.5, 126.6, 127.9, 131.5, 131.6, 131.7, 135.8, 135.9,139.1, 151.4, 172.2 ##STR26##

EXAMPLE 33,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"(O)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione

To a dimethylformamide (250 mL) solution ofbis-(3,3'-indolyl)-1-(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione (17.9 g, 52.5 mmol, 3eq) under nitrogen was added cesium carbonate (68.4 g, 4 eq). To theresulting suspension was added the iodide,1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-3 -(2-iodoethoxy)-4-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-butane, (10.7 g, 17.5 mmol).The reaction stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. TLC (5% ethylacetate/hexane) showed disappearance of the iodide. The react ion waspoured into ethyl acetate (1200 mL) and washed with 1N HCl (400 mL)followed by backwash with ethyl acetate (2×). The combined ethyl acetateportions were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, brine(2×), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated down in vacuo.Dimethylformate was removed by azeotroping with xylene. The resultingred gum was slurried in dichloromethane and acetonitrile to give a solidsuspension. It was concentrated down, more dichloromethane added, cooledand filtered to give a red solid. Some of the desired product wasextracted from this solid by another trituration in dichloromethane andthen in ethyl acetate. The filtrates were concentrated in vacuo and theresulting residue absorbed on silica and applied to a large flashcolumn. Dialkylated by-product was removed by elution with 5 hexane/1ethyl acetate followed by elution of the product with 3 hexane/1 ethylacetate to provide 8.2 g (57%) of the monoalkylated product,3-[(N-1-(2-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1'"-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-butane))-indol-3-yl]-4-[indol-3-yl]-1N(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.MS. NMR.

To a methanol (450 mL) solution of the tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether,3-[(N-1-(2-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1'"-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-butane))-indol-3-yl]-4-[indol-3-yl]-1N(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(8.2 g, 9.9 mmol) under nitrogen at 5° C. was added p-toluenesulfonicacid, monohydrate (0.16 g, 0.085 eq). After 2 hours, TLC (50% ethylacetate/hexane) showed the reaction to be nearly complete. The reactionwas quenched with solid sodium bicarbonate (0.14 g). The methanol wasremoved in vacuo. The resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate,washed with 0.1N sodium hydroxide, brine (2×), dried (MgSO₄), filteredand concentrated in vacuo to give a red foam. This material was absorbedon silica and placed on a silica pad. Elution with 2 hexane/1 ethylacetate removed residual starting material followed by elution with 1hexane/1 ethyl acetate and 1 hexane/2 ethyl acetate to provide 6.4g(91%) of the alcohol,3-[(N-1-(2-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1'"-(hydroxy)-butane))-indol-3-yl]-4-[indol-3-yl]-1N(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.MS. NMR.

To an anhydrous ether (500 mL) solution of the alcohol,3-[(N-1-(2-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)4'"-(tert)-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1'"-(hydroxy)-butane))-indol-3-yl]-4-[indol-3-yl]-1N(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(6.36 g, 8.9 mmol) under nitrogen at 5° C. was added triethylamine (1.9mL, 1.5 eq) and methanesulfonyl chloride (1.0 mL, 1.5 eq). After 3hours, additional triethylamine (1.25 mL, 1.0 eq) and methanesulfonylchloride (0.7 mL, 1.0 eq) were added. After 1 hour, the reaction wasshown to be complete by TLC (50% ethyl acetate/hexane). The reaction wasdiluted with ether (250 mL), washed with water, 0.1N HCl and brine (2×).The ether was dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo toprovide 7.0 g of mesylate,3-[(N-1-(2-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1'"-(methanesulfonyloxy)-butane))-indol-3-yl]-4-[indol-3-yl]-1N(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.MS.

To an acetone (200 mL) solution of the mesylate,3-[(N-1-(2-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1'"-(methanesulfonyloxy)-butane))-indol-3-yl]-4-[indol-3-yl]-1N(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(7.0 g, 8.9 mmol) under nitrogen was added sodium iodide (13.3 g, 10 eq)and sodium bicarbonate (75 mg, 0.1 eq). The mixture was stirred at 50°C. for 13 hours. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo, and the residuewas dissolved in ether and washed with 10% sodium sulfite solution. Thelayers were separated, and the ether portion washed with 10% sodiumsulfite solution, water, brine(2×), dried, and concentrated in vacuo.The residue was passed through a silica pad by eluting with 1 hexane/1ethyl acetate and 1 hexane/2 ethyl acetate to provide 7.6 g of theiodide,3-[(N-1-(2-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1'"-(iodo)-butane))-indol-3-yl]-4-[indol-3-yl]-1N(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dioneas a red solid (quantitative yield for the two steps). MS. NMR.

To a dimethylformamide (1 L) suspension of cesium carbonate (12.0 g, 4eq) under nitrogen was added the iodide,3-[(N-1-(2-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-1'"-(iodo)-butane))-indol-3-yl]-4-indol-3-yl]-1N(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(7.6 g, 9.2 mmol), dissolved in dimethylformamide(25 mL) via syringepump over 65 hours. Three hours after the addition was complete, thereaction was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethylacetate (700 mL), washed with water (2×300 mL), and the aqueous layerbackwashed with ethyl acetate (2×200 mL). The combined ethyl acetateportions were washed with brine (2×200 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered andconcentrated in vacuo to provide a purple residue. The material wasabsorbed onto silica and applied to a flash column. Eluted with 3hexane/1 ethyl acetate and then 1hexane/1 ethyl acetate to give 5.2 g(82%) of the macrocycle,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.MS. NMR.

A suspension of the N-methyl maleimide,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionein 5N KOH (150 mL) and ethanol (300 mL) was stirred at room temperaturefor 65 hours and then for one hour at 60°. The reaction was concentrated(150 mL) in vacuo, the residue suspended in water, cooled to 5° C., andacidified (pH 3) with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The red aqueoussuspension was extracted with ethyl acetate (4×200 mL), dried, andconcentrated in vacuo to give 3.3 g of the crude anhydride alcohol,2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-1,4-dioneas a purple solid. MS.

To a dimethylformamide (250 mL) solution of the anhydride,2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-1,4-dione,(3.3 g, 7.5 mmol) under nitrogen was added1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (32 mL, 2 eq) and methanol (3 mL, 10eq). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours and thenheated at 60° C. for 2 hours. The dimethylformamide was removed invacuo, and the resulting residue was dissolved in acetonitrile (250 mL).1N HCl (50 mL) was added. The reaction was stirred for 15 minutes. Thereaction was concentrated, partitioned between ethyl acetate (1L ) andwater (250 mL). The product was a solid that precipitated giving thealcohol maleimide,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,0.92(28%) of product. A small amount (50 mg) was absorbed on silica andapplied to a flash column. Eluted with dichloromethane, 5%acetonitrile/dichloromethane and then 10% acetonitrile/dichloromethaneto give 38 mg of analytically pure material. The ethyl acetate wasconcentrated and chromatographed to give an additional 8% of the crudeproduct. MS.

¹ H NMR (d₆ -DMSO): 61.96 (1H, m); 2.09 (1H, m); 3.31 (1H, m); 3.40 (1H,m); 3.51 (1H, m); 3.62 (1H, m); 3.89 (1H, m); 4.18 (3H, m); 4.35 (1H,m), 4.68 (1H, t, J=2 Hz); 7.11 (2H, m); 7.19 (2H, m); 7.44 (1H, s) 7.46(1H, d, J=9 Hz); 7.51 (1H, s) 7.53 (1H, d, J=9 Hz); 7.79 (1H, d, J=8Hz); 7.83 (1H, d, J=8 Hz); 10.91 (1H, s). ##STR27##

EXAMPLE 43,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxyl-3'"-(O)-4'"-(amino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionetrifluoroacetate salt

To an anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 mL) solution of the alcohol,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(155 mg, 0.35 mmol) under nitrogen was added 2, 4, 6-collidine (280 μL,3 eq). The solution was cooled to -78° C. and treated withtrifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (118 μL, 2 eq). After 1.5 hours at-78° C., a large excess of concentrated ammonium hydroxide (2 mL) wasadded. After 10 minutes, the reaction was warmed to -42° C. with a dryice/acetonitrile bath and then stirred for 18 hours while allowing towarm to room temperature. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo. Theresulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (400 mL), washed withwater, brine, dried, and concentrated in vacuo to provide the crudeprimary amine. The amine was absorbed on silica and applied to a flashcolumn which was sequentially eluted with 1 ethyl acetate/1 hexane,ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate/5% methanol and finally 50 ethyl acetate/45acetonitrile/4 methanol/2 isopropylamine to elute the amine,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(amino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(38 mg). Starting alcohol (104 mg, 67%) was also recovered. The productwas further purified using reverse phase size exclusion chromatographyby eluting with 85 acetonitrile/15 (0.01% TFA/water). The collectedfractions azeotroped with ethyl acetate to give 23 mg (12%) of a powderas the TFA salt. MS.

¹ H NMR (d₆ -DMSO): δ1.99 (1H, m); 2.08 (1H, m); 2.82 (1H, m); 3.18 (1H,m); 3.57 (2H, m); 3.75 (1H, m); 4.13 (2H, m); 4.29 (1H, m); 4.44 (1H,m); 7.09 (2H, t, J=7 Hz); 7.18 (2H, t, J=7 Hz); 7.47 (4H, m); 7.70 (3H,bs); 7.78 (2H, m)

In a analogous manner the S-enantiomer, 4s as the HCl salt, and theR-enantiomer, 4r as the HCl salt, were prepared. ##STR28##

EXAMPLE 53,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dioneHCl Salt

To an anhydrous dichloromethane (140 mL) suspension of the alcohol,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(472 mg, 1.07 mmol) under nitrogen was added pyridine (260 μL, 3 eq) andmethanesulfonic anhydride (242 mg, 1.3 eq). After 4 hours, the reactionwas diluted with dichloromethane, washed with 0.1N HCl (2×) and filteredto remove starting material (54 mg). The dichloromethane portion waswashed with brine (2×), dried, and concentrated to give the crudemesylate, as a purple solid. The material was absorbed on silica andapplied to a flash column which was sequentially eluted withdichloromethane, 5% acetonitrile/dichloromethane and 10%acetonitrile/dichloromethane to provide 288 mg (52% yield) of themesylate,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(methanesulfonyloxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.MS. NMR.

To a tetrahydrofuran (20 mL) solution of the mesylate,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(methanesulfonyloxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(304 mg, 0.59 mmol) was added a 8.9M solution of dimethylamine intetrahydrofuran (7 mL, 100 eq). After heating (65° C.) for 24 hours in asealed tube, the reaction was diluted with ethyl acetate (200 mL),washed with brine (2×), dried, and concentrated to provide the crudedimethylamine derivative as a solid. The material was absorbed on silicaand applied to a flash column that was sequentially eluted with 3 ethylacetate/1 hexane, ethyl acetate and 2% isopropylamine/ethyl acetate togive the dimethylamine derivative 193 mg (70% yield) which was 90% pureby HPLC. The dimethylamine derivative,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,was purified to greater than 95% as the triflouroacetate salt usingreverse phase size exclusion HPLC by eluting with 85 acetonitrile/15(0.01% TFA/water).

The triflouroacetate salt of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionewas converted to the HCl salt by suspending the salt in ethyl acetateand washing gently with 0.1N NaOH(5×50 mL). The ethyl acetate portionwas washed with brine (2×), dried, and concentrated to provide the freebase,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.To an anhydrous methanol (50 mL) suspension of the free base,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionewas added in HCl in anhydrous ether (13 mL, 50 eq). The ether wasevaporated, and the residue was dried under vacuum to give 143 mg (52%yield) of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt as a red solid. MS.

¹ H NMR (d₆ -DMSO): δ2.03 (1H, m); 2.26 (1H, m); 2.68 (6H, t, J=5 Hz);3.24 (1H, m); 3.28, (1H, m, after D₂ O shake); 3.64 (1H, m); 3.77 (2H,m); 4.07-4.38 (4H, m); 7.08 (2H, m); 7.17 (2H, m); 7.43 (3H, m); 7.52(1H, d, J=8 Hz); 7.79 (2H, m); 10.33 (1H, bs ); 10.92 (1H, s) ##STR29##

EXAMPLE 5g(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole -2,5-dione Hydrochloride Salt

To a THF (300 mL) solution of the mesylate, (S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1')-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4"-(methanesulfonyloxy)-butane)-(bis)-(3-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(2.8 g, 5.39 mmol) was added dimethylamine (100 mL, 40% in water) in asealed vessel. After heating (50° C.) for 24 hours, the reaction wasconcentrated. The residue was passed through a pad of silica elutingwith ethyl acetate and then with 10% triethylamine/ethyl acetate whicheluted the desired (S)-dimethylamine derivative. The eluant wasconcentrated to yield 1.7 g (67% yield) of the free base(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3 '-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione asa violet solid. The free base was converted to the hydrochloride salt bysuspending the free base 3,4-[(N,N'-1,1')-(4"-N,N-dimethylamino-3-(S)-"ethoxybutane)]-(bis)-(3-indolyl)-1H-pyrrol-2,5-dione (1.7 g, 3.6 mmol) in methanol (300 mL) andadding 1.0N anhydrous HCl in ether (10 mL, 10 mmol). After 0.5 hours atambient temperature, the bright orange precipitate was collected, washedwith ether, and dried under vacuum to yield 1.4 g (77% yield) of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1')-(4"-N,N-dimethylamino-3 -(S)-"ethoxybutane)]-(bis)-(3-indolyl)-1H-pyrrol-2,5-dione hydrochloride salt. MS.

¹ H NMR: (d₆ -DMSO) δ2.1 (m, 1H); 2.35 (m, 1H); 2.68 (s, 6H); 3.2 (m,1H, ); 3.33 (m, 1H); 3.66 (br. t, 1H); 3.8 (br. t, 1H); 3.85 (m, 1H);4.17 (m, 1H); 4.2-4.4 (m, 3H); 7.1 (d, 1H); 7.13 (d, 1H); 7.2 (m, 2H);7.44 (s, 1H); 7.48 (s, 1H); 7.5 (d, 1H); 7.56 (d, 1H); 7.82 (br. t, 2H);10.59 (br., 1H); 10.96 (s, 1H).

EXAMPLE 5r(R)3,4-](N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dioneHydrochloride Salt

The R enantiomer was prepared in an identical manner as the (S)enantiomer, except using the(R)-4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-(2-iodoethoxy)-1-iodobutane as astarting material. MS. NMR. ##STR30##

EXAMPLE 63,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy-(3'"-(..(O)-methylene)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane)-his-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione

A dry DMF (100 mL) solution of (bis)mesylate,1-(2-(methylsulfonyloxy)-ethoxy)-2-((methylsulfonyloxy)ethyl)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)-propane,(7.4 0 g, 13.30 mmol) andbis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione (4.43 g, 13.30 mmol) wasadded over 16 hours to a stirred suspension of Cs₂ CO₃ (25.4 g, 78 mmol)in DMF (400 mL) at 50° C. . After 8 hours, the reaction was concentratedunder reduced pressure at 80° C. to give a residue. The residue wasdiluted with ethyl acetate (200 mL), washed with water (50 mL). Theorganic layer was separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted withethyl acetate (50 mL×3). The combined organic portion was dried, andconcentrated to a residue. The residue was eluted through a column ofsilica gel with 25% ethyl acetate in hexane followed by 5% methanol inCH₂ Cl₂ to give three predominant products: The silyl ether macrocycleproduct,2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-(4'"-ethoxy-1'-yl-(3'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methylene)butan-1-yl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrol-1,4-dione,(2.35 g) MS: Calculated for C₄₄ H₄₅ N₃ O₄ Si: Mol. mass : 707.31, found708, R_(f) =0.84 (50% ethyl acetate in hexane), the desilylated alcoholmacrocycle product (600 mg). MS.

To a stirred EtOH (500 mL) solution of N-methyl macrocycle,2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-(4'"-ethoxy-1'-yl-(3'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methylene)butan-1-yl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrol-1,4-dione,(1.65 g, 2.33 mmol) was added 5N KOH (100 mL). After 12 hours at 50° C.,the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and concentratedunder reduced pressure to a residue. The residue was acidified withconcentrated HCl to pH 1 and extracted with ethyl acetate (200 mL×5).The combined organic phase was dried, concentrated under reducedpressure, and was eluted through a short silica column with 5% methanolin dichloromethane. Evaporation of the eluting solvent gave a residuecontaining the anhydride,2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-(4'"-ethoxy-1'-yl-(3'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methylene)butan-1-yl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-1,4-dionethat was used in the next reaction.

To a dry DMF (250 mL) solution of anhydride,2,3-(N,N'-1,1'-(4'"-ethoxy-1'-yl-(3'"-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methylene)butan-1-yl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-1,4-dione,(600 mg, 1.3 mmol) was added HMDS (2.1 g, 13 mmol) followed by methanol(209 mg, 6.5 mmol). After 48 hours, the reaction was concentrated, andthe residue dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 mL), washed with 1N aq HCl(25 mL), water (25 mL) and brine (25 mL) respectively. The resultingorganic phase was then dried and concentrated to give a residue. Theresidue was eluted through a column of silica gel with methanol/CH₂ Cl₂(0% to 5% methanol). Evaporation of the eluting solvent gave the imide,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-methylene)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,as a solid (300 mg, 50% yield). MS.

¹ H NMR (CDCl₃) δ9.65 (s, 1H), 7.79 (t, J=7.65 Hz), 7.61 (s, 1H), 7.54(s, 1H), 7.4-6-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.08 (m, 2H), 7.07-7.02 (m, 2H).4.43-4.33 (m, 2H), 4.30-4.21 (m, 1H), 4.14-4.06 (m, 1H), 3.64 (t, J=4.64Hz), 3.58-3.38 (m, 5H), 3.71 (t, J=8.64 Hz, 1H), 1.89-1.85 (m, 1H)##STR31##

EXAMPLE 73,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy(3'"-((O)-methylene)-4'"-(N-pyrrolidino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt

To a dry CH₂ Cl₂ (50 mL) solution of imide alcohol,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy-(3'"-((O)-methylene)-4'"-(hydroxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(140 mg, 0.30 mmol) containing pyridine (120 mg, 1.5 mmol) was addedmethane sulfonic anhydride (106 mg, 0.61 mmol) under a N₂ atmosphere.After 12 hours, the reaction was quenched with water (25 mL), dilutedwith CH₂ Cl₂ (50 mL), washed with 0.2N HCl (20 mL×2), aq sodiumbicarbonate (20 mL), water (20 mL), brine (20 mL), dried, andconcentrated to a residue. The residue was eluted through a short silicagel column with 5% methanol in dichloromethane and evaporation of theeluting solvent gave the mesylate, 3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy-(3'"-(O)-methylene)-4'"-(methanesulfonyloxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionethat was used in the next reaction.

To a sealed tube THF (20 mL) solution of mesylate,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy-(3'"-((O)-methylene)-4'"-(methanesulfonyloxy)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(157 mg, 0.29 mmol) was added pyrrolidene (203 mg, 2.90 mmol). Afterheating (50° C.) for 12 hours, the reaction was cooled to roomtemperature concentrated under reduced pressure, dissolved in CH₂ Cl₂(50 mL), washed with water (20 mL×2), brine (20 mL), dried, andconcentrated under reduced pressure to a residue. The residue was elutedthrough a short silica gel column with 5% methanol in dichloromethaneand evaporation of the eluting solvent gave the pyrrolidine,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy-(3'"-((O)-methylene)-4'"-(N-pyrrolidino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,MS: calculated for C₃₁ H₃₂ N₄ O₃ : Mol mass: 508.62, found 508, R_(f)=0.14 (5% methanol in dichloromethane, trace triethylamine). Thepyrrolidine was further purified by reverse phase gel permeationchromatography to give the pyrrole macrocycle as the triflouroaceticacid salt (55 mg, 37% yield). The triflouroacetic acid salt of thepyrrole was converted to the hydrochloride titled compound by extractinga 1N NaOH (5 mL) slurry of the trifluoroacetic acid salt (55 mg) withethyl acetate (25 mL)/methanol (2 mL), the extract was dried, andconcentrated to a residue. The residue was slurried in ether/methanol(10:1) and a HCl solution of ether was added. After 30 minutes, theslurry was concentrated and dried in vacuo to give the title compound(48 mg, 88% yield). MS.

¹ H NMR: δ10.98 (s, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.82 (s, 1H), 7.70-7.62 (m, 3H),7.56-7.50 (m, 1H), 7.24-7.02 (m, 4H), 4.50-4.20 (m, 4H), 3.76-3.42 (m,4H), 2.82-2.44 (m, 4H), 2.26-2.24 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.60 (m, 6H), 1.26-1.02(m, 2H). ##STR32##

EXAMPLE 83,4-[(N,N'-1,1-(2"-ethoxy-(3'"-((O)-methylene)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt

The titled tertiary amine was prepared by displacement of the mesylatewith dimethylamine (58 mg, 75% yield). MS.

¹ H (CDCl₃) d 10.93 (s, 1H), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.77 (s, 1H), 7.69-7.64 (m,3H), 7.47 (d, J=7.97 Hz, 1H), 7.13-7.02 (m, 4H), 4.40-4.11 (m, 4H),3.73-3.20 (m, 4H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.33 (s, 1H), 2.13-1.96 (m, 2H),1.86-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.21-1.10 (m, 2H)

The following compounds were prepared in a manner analogous to theExamples described herein and further illustrate the compounds of theinvention. In the following examples, the structure of the compound wasconfirmed by NMR, MS, and/or elemental analysis. During the synthesis, Ris a protected hydroxy, preferably a silyl ether preferablytert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy (TBDPS). The silyl ether may be converted toa leaving group and substituted to produce the following examples:

    ______________________________________                                         ##STR33##                                                                    Example    n      n1     n2   R                                               ______________________________________                                        9          3      2      0    NH.sub.2                                        10         3      2      0    NH.sub.2.HCl                                    11         3      2      0    N(CH.sub.3).sub.2.HCl                           12         3      2      0                                                                                   ##STR34##                                      13         3      2      0    NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5.HCl                  14         3      2      0    NHCOCH.sub.3                                    15         3      2      0    NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                      16         3      2      0    NHC(O)OCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                 17s S-enantiomer                                                                         2      2      0    NHCH.sub.3.HCl                                  18s S-enantiomer                                                                         2      2      0    NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5.HCl                  18r R-enantiomer                                                              19r R-enantiomer                                                                         2      2      0    NHCOCH.sub.3                                    20r R-enantiomer                                                                         2      2      0                                                                                   ##STR35##                                      20s S-enantiomer                                                              21r R-enantiomer                                                                         2      2      0    NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                      21s S-enantiomer                                                              22         2      2      0    -NHCH.sub.2 (pyridyl).HCl                       23s S-enantiomer                                                                         2      2      0                                                                                   ##STR36##                                      24s S-enantiomer                                                                         2      2      0                                                                                   ##STR37##                                      25r R-enantiomer                                                                         2      2      0    NHC(O)OCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                 ______________________________________                                         ##STR38##

EXAMPLE 263,4-[N,N'-1,1'-(2-methylene-6-methylenepyridine)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

Following the same procedure as described in Example 1,2,3-bis-indolemaleic anhydride (287 mg, 0.88 mmol in 5 mL DMF wastreated with sodium hydride (60 percent in oil, 88 mg, 2.19 mmol) for1.5 hours, then diluted to 11 mL with DMF, and treated withbis-2,6-dibromomethyl pyridine (245 mg 0.93 mmol). After stirring at 50°C. overnight, the reaction mixture was worked up (EtOAc) and filteredthrough a short plug of silica (50 percent EtOAc in hexanes).N,N'-(2,6-Pyridine-bridged)-bis-indolemaleic anhydride (142 mg, 37percent) was obtained as a dark-red solid, which showed essentially asingle spot on TLC analysis and was used directly in the next stepwithout further purification.

3,4-[N,N'-1,1'-(2-methylene,6-methylenepyridine)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)-1H-furan-2,5-dione(140 mg, 0.32 mmol) in 2 mL of DMF was treated with a mixture of1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (0.72 mL, 3.2 mmol) and CH₃ OH (0.063mL, 1.6 mmol) to give, after workup and purification by radialchromatography on silica gel, 42 mg of the titled,N,N'-(2,6-pyridine-bridged)-bis-indolemaleimide, as a burgundy solid.This material was homogeneous by TLC (Rf=0.35, 3 percent CH₃ OH inCHCl₃). ##STR39##

EXAMPLE 273,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy)-benzyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride

A dry DMF (45 mL) solution of dibromide,2-(2'-Bromoethoxy)-benzylbromide, (2.0 g, 6.8 mmol) andbis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione (2.3 g, 6.8 mmol) wasadded via syringe pump over 20 hours to a suspension of Cs₂ CO₃ (8.9 g,27 mmol) in dry DMF (550 mL) with vigorous stirring at 55° C. under N₂.After an additional 2 hours, the reaction mixture was concentrated invacuo, the residue dissolved in CH₂ Cl₂, washed with iN HCl, brine,dried, and concentrated in vacuo to give a violet oil. The oil waspassed through a plug of silica eluting with 1:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate.The eluant was reduced to yield the macrocycle,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy)-benzyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione2.76 g (71% yield) as a magenta solid. Recrystallization fromisopropanol/methylene chloride gave analytically pure material. MS:MW=473; observed 473, FD, CHCl₃), EA: Calculated (observed): C 76.09(75.86); H 4.90 (4.93), N 8.87 (8.79).

To an ethanol (100 mL) suspension of macrocycle,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy)-benzyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(710 mg, 15 mmol) containing THF (20 mL) was added 5N KOH (80 mL). Thereaction was heated (55° C.) for 70 hours with stirring, cooled to roomtemperature, and the ethanol removed in vacuo. The concentrate wasacidified to pH 1 with 5N HCl (325 mL), extracted with ethyl acetate,washed with brine (2×), dried, and concentrated to give the anhydride,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy)-benzyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-2,5-dione700 mg (quantitative conversion) as a residue.

To a dry DMF (500 mL) solution of the anhydride,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"-ethoxy)-benzyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-2,5-dione(760 g, 17 mmol), was added a solution of methanol (0.34 mL, 8.3 mmol)and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (3.5 mL, 17 mmol). After heating(55° C.) 22 hours the reaction was concentrated in vacuo, diluted withethyl acetate, washed with 0.1N HCl. The combined organic layer wasdried, and concentrated to a violet residue. The residue was applied toa short plug of silica and eluted with CH₂ Cl_(2/) hexane (gradient0-100% CH₂ Cl₂). Evaporation of the eluting solvent gave the NHmaleimide,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(2"ethoxy)-benzyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione3 mg (70% yield) as a purple solid. The title compound was crystallizedfrom CH₂ Cl_(2/) hexane. MS.

¹ H NMR: (DMSO--d₆) δ4.29 (2H, bs); 4.59 (2H, bs); 5.23 (2H, bs);6.90-6.99 (2H), 7.01-7.18 (3H), 7.20-7.27 (2H), 7.59-7.68 (2H),7.71-7.80 (5H); 10.92 (H, s). ##STR40##

EXAMPLE 283,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-hexane]-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

To a solution of 3,4-bis-(3-indolyl)-1-methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione (499 mg,1.46 mmol) in 10 mL of DMF under N₂ was added sodium hydride (60 percentin oil, 146 mg, 3.65 mmol) in portions of 30 minutes. The resultantgreen solution was stirred 1 hour. The mixture was diluted with 10 mL ofDMF and then treated dropwise with 1,6-dibromohexane (0.24 mL, 1.57mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred 30 minutes at room temperatureand then heated at 45° C. for 16 hours. The cooled mixture was pouredinto dilute aqueous NH₄ Cl (125 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3×40 mL).The combined organic extracts were washed with water and dried (MgSO₄).After removal of the solvent in vacuo, the residue was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel eluting with CH₂ Cl₂ -hexanes, 1:1 to 3:1(gradient elution) to afford compound3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione(137 mg, 22 percent) as a purple solid, M. Pt. >320° C.

A mixture containing3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione(137 mg, 322 mmol), ethanol (15 mL), 5N KOH (5 mL) and THF (2 mL) wasstirred 4 hours at room temperature. At that time TLC analysis showedthe starting material to be consumed. The mixture was diluted with water(15 mL) and concentrated on the rotary evaporator. The mixture wascooled, acidified to pH 1 with 3N HCl and extracted with CH₂ Cl₂ (3×10mL). The combined organic extracts were washed well with water, driedover anhydrous MgSO₄ and concentrated. The purple solid obtained (116mg) was found by NMR analysis to be a 4:1 mixture of the desiredanhydride and starting material. This material was used directly in thenext step without further purification.

In the same manner as that described in Example 1, a solution of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)-furan-2,5-dione (108 mg,0.263 mmol) in DMF (1.5 mL under N₂ was treated with a mixture of1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (0.59 mL, 2.62 mmol) and CH₃ OH (0.05mL, 1.31 mmol) overnight. After workup (EtOAc), the crude product wassubjected to flash chromatography on silica gel (CH₂ Cl₂ -EtOAc,10:1-5:1, gradient elution) to afford two colored fractions. The firstcolored fraction to eluate contained the3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)-1methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dioneimpurity carried from the previous reactions. The second coloredfraction contained the desired product,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-hexane)-bis-(3,3'indolyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5 dione (56 mg).M. Pt. >320° C. MS

Calculated for C₂₆ H₂₃ N₃ O₂ (0.3 H₂ O): C, 76.26; H, 5.66, N, 10.26.Found: C, 75.21; H, 5.65; N, 10.05. ##STR41##

EXAMPLE 293,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(benzylcarbonate)methylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3,'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

To a 0° C. dichloromethane solution of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxy)methylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(24 mg, 0.054 mmol) was added diisopropylethylamine (10.6 mg, 0.081mmol) followed by benzyl chloroformate (13.8 mg, 0.081 mmol). After 72hours, the reaction mixture was quenched with 2.5N sodium bicarbonate;the organic layer removed; and the aqueous layer extracted withdichloromethane. The combined organic layers were combined, washed withbrine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to givean oil that was purified by reverse phase HPLC (5% acetonitrile in waterwith 0.1% TFA gradient to 100% acetonitrile on C₁₈ column) to give 6 mgof the title compound. MS. ##STR42##

EXAMPLE 30(±)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(benzyloxymethylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

Following the same procedure as described in the previous examples,3,4-bis-(3'-indolyl)-1-methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione (400 mg, 1.17 mmol) in 8mL DMF was treated with sodium hydride (60 percent in oil, 117 mg, 2.93mmol) followed by treatment with(±)-3-benzyloxymethylene-1,6-dibromohexane in 7 mL of DFfF. Afterheating at 50° C. overnight, the crude product after workup was purifiedby flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with CH₂ Cl₂ -hexanes,1:1-2:1 (gradient-elution) to give pure(±)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(benzyloxymethylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-methyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione (149 mg23 percent) as a violet solid.

A mixture containing (±)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-benzyloxymethylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)-1-methylpyrrole-2,5-dione (141 mg,0.259 mmol), ethanol 15 mL and 5N KOH (5 mL) was stirred at roomtemperature for 3 hours at which time TLC analysis showed the startingmaterial to be consumed. After acidification and extraction with CH₂Cl₂, the crude product (101 mg) showed two spots on TLC analysis (CH₂Cl₂) corresponding to starting material and desired anhydride(±)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-benzyloxymethylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)-furan-2,5-dione.NMR analysis indicated roughly a 4:1 mixture of anhydride and startingmaterial respectively. This material was used directly in the next stepwithout further purification.

(±)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-Benzyloxymethylene)hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)-furan-2,5-dione(98 mg, 0.180 mmol) in 1 mL DMF was treated with a mixture of1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (0.41 mL, 1.80 mmol) and CH₃ OH (0.036mL, 0.90 mmol) at 25° C. overnight. The mixture was worked-up (EtOAc)and flash chromatographed on silica gel eluting with CH₂ Cl₂, CH₂ Cl₂-EtOAc 10:1 (gradient elution) to give 30 mg of purified(±)-3,4-[N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(benzyloxy)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione.M. Pt. 171°-173° C. MS ##STR43##

EXAMPLE 313,4-[(N,N'-(3"-(hydroxy)methylene)hexane)-bis-(0.3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

A mixture containing bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(3.41 g, 10.0 mmol) and3-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene-1,6-dibromohexane (5.64 g, 11.0mmol) in 50 mL of DMF was added with a syringe pump over 30 hours to awell-stirred solution of cesium carbonate (11.2 g, 34.3 mmol) in DMF(350 mL) at 55 C under N₂. After the addition was complete, the reactionmixture was heated at this temperature an additional 16 hours. Thecooled mixture was poured into 1.2 L of water containing 20 mL of 3N HCland extracted with three 300 mL portions of CH₂ Cl₂. The combinedorganic extracts were washed with water and brine then dried (MgSO₄) andconcentrated. The residue was passed through a 3"×3" column of silicagel eluting with CHCl₃. The crude product thus obtained was purified byflash chromatography on silica gel (CHCl₃) to afford 2.87 g (41%) of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dioneas a purple solid, M. pt. 220°-224° C. HRMS calculated for C₄₄ H₄₅ N₃SiO [M+1]: 692.3307. Found: 692.3299.

A mixture containing3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(1.55 g, 2.22 mmol), 4N KOH (100 mL), THF (10 mL) and 95% EtOH (200 mL)was heated at 90° C. for 16 hours. After removal of most of the EtOH onthe rotary evaporator, the mixture was acidified to pH 1 with 6N HCl andextracted with CH₂ Cl₂ (3×75 mL). The combined organic extracts werewashed with water and brine and dried over anhydrous Na₂ SO₄. Afterremoval of the solvents in vacuo, the residue was dissolved into aminimum of 5% methanol in CHCl₃ and loaded onto a 3"×3" column of silicagel. Elution with CHCl₃ followed by 10% methanol in CHCl₃ gave twofractions; evaporation of the second fraction provided 676 mg (69%) ofanhydride-alcohol as a purple solid which was homogeneous by TLC(Rf=0.5, 10% methanol in CHCl₃). This material was used directly in thenext step without further purification.

To a solution of the above anhydride (510 mg, 1.15 mmol) in DMF (11 mL)was added a premixed solution containing1,1,1,3,3,3,-hexamethyldisilazane (5.14 mL, 23 mmol) and CH₃ OH (0.45mL, 11.5 mmol). The resultant mixture was heated at 50° C. for 24 hoursunder N₂. The cooled reaction mixture was poured into 100 mL of water.The precipitated product was washed with water and dried overnight togive 409 mg of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dioneas a reddish-purple solid. This material was found to be 93% pure byHPLC (reverse-phase) analysis and was contaminated with an unidentifiedcompound of similar R_(f). HRMS calculated. for C₂₇ H₂₅ N₃ O₃ :439.1896. Found: 439.1911.

EXAMPLE 31r (R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

Following the same procedure described above for the preparation ofExample 31,(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionewas prepared in 25% overall yield from the dibromide,(R)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-dibromohexane bydialkylation of bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,hydrolysis, and 1-H-pyrrole-2,5-dione formation. M. pt. >300° C.

¹ H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO--d₆) 1.05-2.25 (m, 7H), 4.04-4.45 (m, 6H) (m,8H), 7.08-7.88 (m, 10H).

EXAMPLE 31s(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-(3"-(hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

Following the same procedure described above for the preparation ofExample 31,(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionewas prepared (4.5 g) in 39% overall yield from dibromide,(S)-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-1,6-dibromohexane bydialkylation of bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,hydrolysis, and 1-H-pyrrole-2,5-dione formation. MS.

¹ H NMR (d₆, DMSO) 6 1.05-1.15 (2H), 1.23-1.24 (1H), 1.50-1.52 (1H),1.71 (1H), 1.94 (1H), 2.07-2.12 (1H), 4.05-4.4 (m, 6H), 7.09-7.21 (m,4H), 7.35 (d, J=15 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H), 7.8 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H),10.93 (s, 1H). ##STR44##

EXAMPLES 32 AND 333,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-aminomethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dioneExample 32 as the TFA salt Example 33 as the HCl Salt

To a stirred solution of the anhydride alcohol2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-1,4-dione(0.18 g, 0.41 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (10 mL), under nitrogenwas added triethylamine (0.10 g, 1.06 mmol), and methanesulfonylchloride(0.11 g, 0.98 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred 30 minutes atroom temperature. The solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue wasdissolved in 10 mL anhydrous dimethylformamide, followed by the additionof sodium azide (0.26 g, 4.1 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated for1.5 hours at 50° C. under nitrogen. The cooled reaction mixture waspartitioned between 0.2N HCl and ethyl acetate. The combined organicextract was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated toprovide 185 mg of the azide, which was used directly in the nextreaction. The crude azide was dissolved in dimethylformamide (3 mL),under nitrogen, and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (1.25 g, 7.75 mmol)and methanol (0.12 g, 3.87 mmol) were added. The reaction was heated at50° C. After 12 hours, the reaction was cooled, diluted with ethylacetate, washed with water, hydrochloric acid 2N. The aqueous washeswere back extracted with ethyl acetate (3×50 mL). The combined organiclayers were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated toprovide the azide-imide,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-azidomethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(175 mg) as a purple colored solid. The product was chromatographed on aRainin Dynamex R-60 C₁₈ column 21.4×250 mm) using a linear gradient from805 A (0.1% TFA and 5% acetonitrile in water) to 100% B (pureacetonitrile) over 60 minutes at 15 mL/min. to obtain purified3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-3"-azidomethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionein 57% overall yield. MS. NMR.

To a solution of the azide3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-azidomethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(0.1 g 0.21 mmol), in ethyl acetate (15 mL) and ethanol (5 mL) was addedLindlar's catalyst (0.1 g). The reaction mixture was stirred underhydrogen (1 ATM) at room temperature. After 12 hours, the catalyst wasremoved by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo.Purification by preparative reverse phase HPLC on a Rainin Dynamax R-60C₁₈ (21.4×250 mm) using a linear gradient 80% A (0.1% TFA and 5%acetonitrile in water) to 100% B (pure acetonitrile) over 60 minutes at15 mL/min., provided the primary amine as the TFA salt,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-aminomethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionetrifluoroacetic acid salt, as a solid (80 mg) in 63% yield. MS.

¹ H NMR (d₆ acetone) δ0.77-0.78 (m, 1H), 1.0-1.1 (m, 1H), 1.27-1.34 (m,1H), 1.43 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.56 (m,4H), 1.60-1.1.68 (m, 1H), 1.90-1.94 (m,1H), 3.17-3.21 (m, 1H), 3.35, 3.38 (m, 1H), 3.64-3.67 (m, 1H), 3.75-3.82(m,2H), 6.61-6.72 (m, 4H), 6.824 (d, J=16 Hz, 2H), 6.936(t, J=8.31 Hz,2H), 7.397 (t, J=7.83 Hz, 2H), 9.3 (s, 1H). ¹³ C NMR (d₆ acetone) δ26.0,28.0, 32.1, 35.4, 40.8, 41.0, 41.1, 45.1, 45.8, 50.9, 105.1,105.2,110.8, 111.0, 121.24, 121.29, 122.7, 122.9, 123.0, 128.4, 128.6,131.5, 132.0, 134.0, 134.1, 136.8, 137.1, 172.6, 172.7, 192.5 ##STR45##

EXAMPLE 343,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N-benzylamino)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionetrifluoroacetate salt

To a stirred solution of the primary amine,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-aminomethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(40 mg, 0.05 mmol), in anhydrous THF (2 mL) under nitrogen was addedbenzaldehyde (9.39 mg, 0.08 mmol). After 30 minutes, sodium triacetoxyborohydride (18.75 mg, 0.08 mmol) was added. After stirring 1 hour, thereaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate(3×25 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over magnesiumsulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Purification by reversephase HPLC on a Rainin Dynamax R-60 C₁₈ column (21.4×250 mm) using alinear gradient from 80% A (0.1% TFA and 5% acetonitrile in water) to100% B (pure acetonitrile) over 60 minutes at 15 mL/min., provided twodifferent fractions of mono benzyl compound,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N-benzylamino)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(16 mg) in 66% yield, and the dibenzylamino compound,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N,N-dibenzylamino)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(7 mg) in 20% yield. MS.

¹ H NMR (d₆ acetone ) δ1.1-1.3 (m, 1H), 1.5-1.6 (m, 1H), 1.71-1.77 (m,1H), 1.93-2.10 (m, 3H), 2.5 (m ,1H), 3.1-3.2 (m, 1H), 3.37-3.41 (m, 1H),4.13 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 2H), 4.28 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 2H), 4.36 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 2H),7.13-7.24 (m, 4H), 7.33 (d, J=25 Hz, 2H), 7.39-7.51 (m,7H), 7.89-7.96(m, 2H), 9.76 (s, 1H).

¹³ C NMR (d₆ acetone) δ25.6, 27.3, 32.1, 32.9, 44.7, 45.4, 50.1,52.2,105.0, 105.2, 110.8, 111.1, 121.2, 121.3, 122.8, 122.9, 123.1, 128.5,129.8, 130.3, 131.2, 131.3, 132.0, 132.4, 133.7, 134.0, 136.8, 137.0,172.5, 172.6 ##STR46##

EXAMPLE 353,4-[(N,N'-(3"-(N,N-dibenzylamino)methylene)-hexane-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionetrifluoroacetate salt

3,4-[(N,N,1,1'-(3"-(N,N-dibenzylamino)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1h-pyrrole-2,5-dionewas prepared in a manner analogous to Example 34. MS.

¹ H NMR (d₆ acetone) δ0.2-0.3 (m,1H), 0.6-0.9 (m, 4H), 1.2-1.3 (m, 1H)1.50 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 2.27 (m,1H), 3.3-3.8(m, 8H), 6.6-6.9 (m, 18H),7.35 (dd, J=7.5 Hz, J=24.9 Hz, 2H), 9.1 (s, 1H). ##STR47##

EXAMPLE 36r(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N-pyrrolidino)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt

A stirred mixture of mesylate,(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(methanesulfonyloxy) methylene )-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, (202 mg) and pyrrolidine(1.5 mL) in THF (15 mL) was heated at 50° C. until TLC indicated thestarting material be consumed (16 hours). EtOAc (30 mL) was added. Theorganic phase was washed with 10 mL portions of 5% NaHCO₃, water andbrine. Concentration afforded deep-red residue which was subjected topreparative HPLC (Waters reverse-phase, 0.1% TFA and 5% CH₃ CN inwater-100% CH₃ CN gradient) to give pure(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-N-pyrrolidinomethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione as its TFA salt.Conversion to HCl-salt in the same manner gave(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-N-pyrrolidinomethylene )-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione hydrochloride salt (42 mg) asa light red solid. M. pt. 220° C. (dec). HRMS calculated for C₃₁ H₃₃ N₄O₂ [M+1]: 493. 2604. Found : 493. 2605. ##STR48##

EXAMPLE 373,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-methoxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-.(3,3'-indolyl)]-71H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

A solution of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione (1.25 g, 1.81 mmol) in THF (20 mL) wastreated with a solution of tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride in THF (1M,2.0 mL, 2.0 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 25° C. Thereaction mixture was quenched with 1N HCl (5 mL) and diluted with EtOAc(75 mL). After washing with water and brine, the organic layer was dried(MgSO₄) and concentrated. The residue was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel eluting with 3-5% methanol in THF/hexanes(1 :1) to afford alcohol,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,509 mg (62%) as a purple solid. This material was used directly in thenext step.

To a stirred solution containing the above alcohol (285 mg, 0.63 mmol)and 47% aqueous tetrafluoroboric acid (170 mg, 0.95 mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂ (6mL) at 0° C. was added dropwise a solution of trimethylsilyldiazomethane(Aldrich, 2.0M hexanes, 0.47 mL, 0.95 mmol) over 5 minutes. Theresultant mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours then at 25° C. for 4hours. TLC analysis of the reaction mixture indicated a large amount ofunreacted starting material. The mixture was cooled and an equivalentadditional amount of tetrafluoroboric acid trimethylsilyldiazomethanewas added. The mixture was stirred 2 hours at 0° C. then 6 hours at 25°C. and diluted with CH₂ Cl₂ (20 mL) and washed with 2N HCl (10 mL) andwater (10 mL). The organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), concentrated. Theresidue was loaded onto a 3"×3" silica gel column and eluted with CH₂Cl₂ to give methyl ether,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-methoxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,114 mg, (39%) as a reddish-purple solid, M.Pt. 234°-236° C. NMR. HRMScalculated for C₂₉ H₂₉ N₃ O₃ : 467.2208. Found: 467.2210.

A mixture of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-methoxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(110 mg, 0.243 mmol), and 5N KOH (8 mL) in 15 mL of EtOH containing 1 mLof THF was heated at 90° C. for 24 hours. After removal of most of theethanol under reduced pressure, the mixture was acidified to pH 1 with6N HCl and extracted with CH₂ Cl₂ (3×15 mL). The combined organicextracts were washed with dilute aqueous NaHCO₃ and water and dried overanhydrous MgSO₄. After removal of the solvents in vacuo, the crudeproduct was loaded onto a 2"×2" column of silica gel and eluted with CH₂Cl₂ to give anhydride which was used directly in the next reaction.

To a solution of the above anhydride (76 mg, 0.17 mmol) in DMF (1.5 mL)was added a solution of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (0.75 mL, 3.34mmol) and CH₃ OH (0.07 mL, 1.67 mmol) that had been premixed for 5minutes The reaction mixture was stirred 1 hour at 25° C. then heated at50° C. for 20 hours whereupon TLC analysis showed the reaction to becomplete. The cooled reaction mixture was worked up (EtOAc) aspreviously described. The crude product was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (CH₂ Cl₂ --4% EtOAc in CH₂ Cl₂, gradientelution) to afford 42 mg (55%) of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-methoxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dioneas a dark red solid. Recrystallization from acetone-water gave 28 mg. ofanalytically pure3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-methoxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dioneas reddish-violet solid, M.Pt. 272°-274° C.

Analytical calculated for C₂₈ H₂₇ N₃ O₃ (0.1 H₂ O): C, 73.86; H, 6.02;N, 9.23. Found: C, 73.51; H, 5.92; N, 8.99. ##STR49##

EXAMPLE 383,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(acetoxy)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

Acetic anhydride (0.064 mL, 0.68 mmol) was added to a stirred mixture ofthe anhydride,2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-l,4-dione(1.49 mg, 0.34 mmol), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (27 mg, 0.22 mmol),pyridine (0.75 mL) and THF (1.5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at25° C. under N₂ for 16 hours. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc (20 mL)and washed with 2N HCl (2×10 mL) and water (2×10 mL) and dried overanhydrous MgSO₄. After evaporation of the solvents under reducedpressure the crude product was purified by chromatography on a shortcolumn of silica gel eluting with CH₂ Cl₂ to give the 0-acetateanhydride,2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(acetoxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-l,4-dione,111 mg, (68%) as a purple solid, M.Pt. 252°-254° C.

To a stirred solution of the O-acetate anhydride,2,3-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(acetoxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3,-indolyl)]-furan-1,4-dione,(103 mg, 0.22 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was added a solution containing1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (0.48 mL, 2.2 mmol) and CH₃ OH (0.043mL, 1.1 mmol) which had been premixed for 5 minutes. The reactionmixture was worked up (EtOAc) as previously described and the crudeproduct was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (gradientelution: CH₂ Cl₂ --5% mtOAc in CH₂ CI₂) to give the 0-acetyl maleimide,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(acetoxy)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione74 mg (72%) as a deep red solid which was homogeneous by TLC (CH₂ Cl₂).Recrystallization from acetone-water provided the titled compound as ared solid. M.Pt. 250°-252° C.

Analytical calculated for C₂₉ H₂₇ N₃ O₄ (0.1 H₂ O): C, 72.06; H, 5.67;N, 8.69. Found: C, 71.72; H, 5.67; N, 8.29.

The following compounds were prepared in a manner analogous to theExamples described and further illustrate the compounds of theinvention. In the following examples, the structure was confirmed byNMR, MS and/or elemental analysis.

    ______________________________________                                         ##STR50##                                                                    Example         R                                                             ______________________________________                                        39              NHC(O)OCH.sub.2 (C.sub.6 H.sub.5)                             40              N(CH.sub.3).sub.2.HCl                                         ______________________________________                                         ##STR51##

EXAMPLE 40r(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-[N,N-dimethylamino)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt

Methanesulfonic anhydride (94 mg, 0.54 mmol) was added over 10 minutesto a stirred solution of chiral alcohol,(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxy)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(200 mg, 0.45 mmol), and pyridine (0.11 mL, 1.35 mmol) in CH₂ Cl₂ (5 mL)at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 4 hours. CH₂ Cl₂(20 mL) was added, and the mixture was washed with 10 mL portions of 3%HCl, water and brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. Removal of thesolvent in vacuo left the crude mesylate (205 mg) which was homogeneousby TLC (1% methanol in CHCl₃. This material was carried on directly tothe next step.

To a solution of the above mesylate (205 mg) in 10 mL of THF was added40% aqueous dimethylamine (2 mL) and the reaction mixture was heated at50° C. for 36 hours. After removal of the THF under reduced pressure,CH₂ Cl₂ (20 mL) was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with 5%aqueous NaHCO₃, water and brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄.Concentration afforded crude(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N,N-dimethylamine)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3,-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(158 mg) as a red solid that was purified by preparative HPLC (Watersreverse-phase, 0.1% TFA and 5% CH₃ CN in water-100% CH₃ CN gradient) togive the amine-TFA salt which was dissolved in CH₂ Cl₂ and converted tothe free base with dilute aqueous KOH. After drying the organic phaseover MgSO₄ (15 minutes), the solvent was evaporated and the free amine(60 mg) was dissolved into 1:1 methanol/THF (5 mL), cooled to 0° C.under N₂ and slowly acidified to pH 4-5 (external damp pH paper) withanhydrous 1N HCl in ether. The precipitated salt was filtered and washedwith dry ether under a N₂ blanket then dried in a vacuum desiccationover CaSO₄ overnight. The dimethylamine-HCL salt,(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N,N-dimethylamine)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt (43 mg) was obtained as a light red solid, M.Pt. 230°C. (dec). MS.

¹ H NMR (300 MHz, acetone-d₆) 0.9-3.5 (m, 7H), 3.20-3.42 (m, 8H),4.05-4.18 (m, 4H), 7.02-7.80 (m, 10H), 10.94(s, 1H).

EXAMPLE 40s(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N,N-dimethylamine)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt

Following the same procedure described above for the preparation ofExample 40r,(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N,N-dimethylamine)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt was prepared (90 mg) in 27% overall yield from thealcohol,(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-hydroxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dioneby formation of the mesylate and displacement with dimethylamine. MS.

¹ NMR (d₆ DMSO) δ0.92 (s large,1H), 1.35 (s large, 1H), 1.60 (s large,2H), 1.85 (s large, 1H), 2.37-2.42 (m, 2H), 2.91-3.05 (m, 2H), 4.13 (slarge, 2H), 4.23 (s large, 2H), 7.11-7.23 (m, 4H), 7.34 (d, J=20 Hz,2H), 7.50 (dd, J=8.1 Hz, J=12.6 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 9.92 (slarge, 1H), 10.98 (s, 1H) ##STR52##

EXAMPLE 413,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N-imidazole)methylene)-)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'indoyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione

Methanesulfonyl chloride (0.025 mL, 0.32 mmol) was added dropwise to astirred solution containing3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxy)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(100 mg, 0.23 mmol) and triethylamine (0.05 mL, 0.36 mmol) in dry CHCl₃at 25° C. under N₂. After stirring for 20 minutes, the reaction mixturewas diluted with CHCl₃ (15 mL), washed with water, brine, dried filteredand concentrated. The red residue was purified by chromatography on ashort column of silica gel eluting with CHCl₃ followed by 10% EtOAc inCHCl₃ to give3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-methanesulfonyloxymethylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione,53 mg, as a red solid, which was homogenous by TLC 5% (EtOAc in CH₂Cl₂).

To a stirred solution of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(methanesulfonyloxy)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(49 mg, 0.095 mmol) in DMF (0.75 mL) under N₂ was added dropwise asolution of the sodium salt of imidazole in DMF (prepared by adding 60%NaH (8.7 mg, 0.22 mmol) to a solution of imidazole (16 mg, 0.24 mmol) inDMF (0.5 mL)). The reaction mixture was stirred 15 minutes at 25° C.then heated at 50° C. for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was dilutedwith 25 mL of CH₂ Cl₂ containing 3% methanol. The mixture was washedwith 10 mL portions of water and brine and dried over anhydrous Na₂ SO₄.After evaporation of the solvents under reduced pressure, the crudeproduct was loaded onto a 3"×3" column of silica gel eluting with CH₂Cl₂ followed by 5% methanol in CH₂ Cl₂ containing 1% triethylamine toafford3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N-imidazole)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione,21.5 mg (46%) as a red solid. This material was subjected toreverse-phase HPLC (gradient elution, 5% CH₃ CN in water containing 0.1%TFA--CH₃ CN) to provide analytically pure3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(N-imidazole)methylene)-hexane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione(12.4 mg) as a red solid, M.Pt. 261°-266° C. NMR. HRMS calculated forC₃₀ H₂₇ N₅ O₂ [M+1]: 490.2244. Found: 490.2242.

The following compounds were prepared in a manner analogous to theExamples described herein and further illustrate the compounds of theinvention. In the following examples, the structure of the compound wasconfirmed by NMR, MS, and/or elemental analysis.

    ______________________________________                                         ##STR53##                                                                    Example    n     n1      O     R                                              ______________________________________                                        42         3     3       CH    H                                              43         2     2       CH    H                                              44         3     4       CH    H                                              45         3     3       CH    NH.sub.2                                       46         3     3       CH    NHCOCH.sub.3                                   47         3     3       CH    NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                     48         3     3       C     (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O)                         49         3     3       C     O                                              ______________________________________                                         ##STR54##

EXAMPLE 503,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(propylthiopropyl))-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dion

To a 0° C. stirred anhydrous CH₂ Cl₂ (1.0 L) solution ofN-(3-acetoxypropyl)-indole (102 g, 0.47 moles) was added oxalyl chloride(43.04 mL, 0.494 moles, 1.05 eq) dropwise. After 15 minutes, the icebath was removed. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambienttemperature with stirring for three hours. The volatiles were removed invacuo to yield a magenta solid, which was redissolved in dry CH₂ Cl₂(1.0 1) under N₂. With vigorous stirring, N-tertbutoxycarbonyl-indole-3-acetic acid (129.25 g, 0.47 moles), was addedfollowed rapidly by triethylamine (130.6 mL, 0.94 moles, 2 eq). After 16hours, the reaction was concentrated and purified by flash columnchromatography eluting with 3:1 hexane/ethyl acetate. The major coloredfraction was concentrated to give the anhydride (101 g, 40% yield)2-[1-(3-acetoxypropyl)-3-indolyl]-3-[1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-indolyl]-furan-1,4-dioneas a red crystalline solid. MS

To the BOC protected anhydride (7.4 g, 14 mmol) was addedtrifluoroacetic acid (27 mL, 350 mmol) containing ethanethiol (1 mL, 14mmol) with stirring. After one hour, the reaction mixture waspartitioned between CH₂ Cl₂ and saturated NaHCO₃. The organic layer waswashed with brine, dried over Na₂ SO₄, and filtered. The filtrate wasconcentrated to give the crude deblocked anhydride as a red semi-solid.The residue was applied to a short pad of silica, washed with hexane andthen CH₂ Cl₂. The colored band was eluted from the silica with ethylacetate and dried in vacuo to give the purified deblocked anhydride,2-[1-(acetoxypropyl)-3-indolyl]-3-(3-indolyl)-furan-1,4-dione (5.7 g,95% yield) as red solid. MS

To a stirred anhydrous DMF (125 mL) solution of the deblocked anhydride(3.0 g, 7 mmol) was added NaH (420 mg, 10.5 mmol, 60% in mineral oil) atroom temperature. A color change from bright orange to violet wasimmediately observed. After 30 minutes, 3 equivalents of 3-bromopropylacetate was added rapidly. The reaction was heated to 75° C., andgradually returned to an orange color. After 6 hours, the DMF wasremoved in vacuo. The residue was applied to a flash silicachromatography column eluting with 3:2 hexane/ethyl acetate. The majorred band was collected, and the solvent removed to give the alkylatedanhydride, 2,3-bis[1-(3-acetoxypropyl)-3-indolyl]-furan-1,4-dione (1.32g, 36%) as a red solid. MS

2,3-bis[1-(3-acetoxypropyl)-3-indolyl]-furan-1,4-dione (1.32 g, 2.52mmol) was suspended in absolute ethanol (125 mL) with stirring andtreated with 5N KOH (125 mL). After stirring for 16 hours, the reactionmixture was concentrated to 126 mL. The residue was acidified (5N HCl)slowly, until a red solid precipitated. The precipitant was filtered anddried in a vacuum oven at 60° C., producing the alcohol anhydride 1.1 g(99%) as a red powder.

The alcohol anhydride, (1.1 g, 2.47 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF(30 mL) under a N₂ atmosphere with stirring. A premixed solution of1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (5.22 mL, 24.7 mmol, 10 eq) andmethanol (0.50 mL, 12.4 mmol, 5 eq) was added. The reaction was allowedto stir for 16 hours at ambient temperature. The DMF was removed invacuo. To this residue was added acetone (100 mL) and excess CsF (ca.500 mg). After stirring 4 hours, the reaction was concentrated. Theresidue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organiclayer was washed with iN HCl (5×), brine (2×), dried over Na₂ SO₄ andfiltered. The filtrate was concentrated to give the bisindolylmaleimide3,4-bis[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-indolyl]- 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione 1.0 g (91%yield) as a red powder. Total yield was 90% over two steps. MS

3,4-bis[1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-indolyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (1.0 g, 2.25mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous CH₂ Cl₂ (250 mL) at ambient temperatureunder N₂. CBr₄ (2.09 g, 6.3 mmol, 2.8 eq) and triphenylphosphine (2.83g, 10.8 mmol, 4.8 eq) were added together to the reaction vessel. Themixture was allowed to stir for 16 hours. The crude reaction mixture wasconcentrated and purified by silica gel flash column chromatography,eluting with 7:3 hexane/ethyl acetate. The desired product eluted as onemajor red band. Removal of the solvents from this fraction gave thedibromo compound,3,4-bis[1-(3-bromopropyl)-3-indolyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione 876 mg (68%yield) as a red powder.

The dibromo compound (47.8 mg, 0.084mmol) was dissolved in acetone atambient temperature with stirring. An excess of sodium sulfidenonahydrate (229 mg, 0.95 mmol, 11.3 eq) was added. The heterogeneousmixture was stirred overnight. The acetone was then removed in vacuo.The residue was partitioned between water and CH₂ Cl₂. The organic layerwas washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated togive 35.5 mg (94% yield) of the titled product as an red-orange solid.MS ##STR55##

EXAMPLE 513,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxy)methylene)pentan)-bis-(3,3,-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione

A dry DMF (35 mL) solution of1,5-diiodo-3-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)-pentane (7.3 g, 12mmol) and bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione (4.21 g, 12 mmol)was added via syringe pump over 48 hours to a suspension of Cs₂ CO₃(16.06 g, 49.3 mmol) in dry DMF (1 L) with vigorous stirring at 55° C.under N₂. After an additional 2 hours, the reaction mixture wasconcentrated in vacuo, the residue dissolved in CH₂ Cl₂, washed with 1NHCl, brine, dried, and concentrated in vacuo to give a violet oil. Theoil is passed through a plug of silica eluting with 4:1 hexanes/ethylacetate. The eluant was reduced to yield the macrocycle,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)pentanyl)-bis-(3,3"-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,4.5 g (55% yield) as a magenta solid.

To an ethanol (300 mL) suspension of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(tertbutyldiphenylsilyloxymethylene)pentanyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(4.2 g, 6.2 mmol) was added 5N KOH (300 mL). The reaction was refluxed(86° C) for 48 hours with stirring, cooled to room temperature, and theethanol removed in vacuo. The concentrate was acidified to pH 1 with 5NHCl (325 mL), extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with brine (2×),dried, and concentrated to give the anhydride,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxymethylene)pentan)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-furan-2,5-dione,2.6 g (100% yield) as a residue.

To a dry DMF (500 mL) solution of the anhydride,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxymethylene)pentanyl)-bis-(3,3-indolyl)]-furan-2,5-dione(2.6 g, 6.2 mmol), was added a solution of methanol (1.25 mL, 31 mmol)and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (13.1 mL, 62 mmol). After heating(55° C) 36 hours the reaction was concentrated in vacuo, diluted withethyl acetate, washed with 1N HCl. The acid wash contained some solidsthat were back extracted with chloroform. The combined organic layer wasdried, and concentrated to a violet residue. The residue was applied toa short plug of silica and eluted with 2-10% MeCN/CH₂ Cl₂. The fractioncontaining the major product is concentrated in vacuo to yield the titlealcohol3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxymethylene)pentanyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(650 mg (25%)) as a magenta solid. MS.

¹ H NMR: (DMSO--d₆) δ0.7 (m, 1H); 1.48 (m, 2H); 1.82 (m, 2H); 3.19 (dd,2H); 4.16 (m, 4H); 4.4 (t, 1H); 7.05 (t, 2H); 7.16 (t, 2H); 7.17 (s,2H); 7.46 (d, 2H); 7.65 (d, 2H); 10.96 (s, 1H). ##STR56##

EXAMPLE 523,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3-(methanesulfonyloxy)methylene)pentan-1",5"-yl)-bis-(3,3+-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione

To a dry CH₂ Cl₂ (80 mL) solution of3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(hydroxymethylene)pentan-1",5"-yl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(334120) (650 mg, 1.5 mmol) was added methanesulfonic anhydride (400 mg,2.29 mmol) followed by excess pyridine (370 mL, 4.58 mmol). After 16hours at ambient temperature, the reaction mixture was applied directlyto a short plug of silica and eluted with 0-7% MeCN/CH₂ Cl₂. The coloredfraction was concentrated in vacuo to give the mesylate,3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(methanesulfonyloxy)methylene)pentan-1",5"-yl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione501 mg (67% yield) of a violet solid. MS.

¹ H NMR: (DMSO--d₆) 6 0.89 (m, 1H); 1.61 (m, 2H); 1.82 (m, 2H); 2.99 (s,3H); 4.02 (d, 2H); 4.22 (m, 4H); 7.06 (t, 2H); 7.17 (t, 2H); 7.17 (s,2H); 7.54 (d, 2H); 7.63 (d, 2H); 10.98 (s, 1H). ##STR57##

EXAMPLE 533,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(aminomethylene)pentan-1",5"-yl)-bis(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride salt

In a sealed tube reaction vessel containing a THF (20 mL) solution ofthe mesylate3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(methanesulfonyloxy)methylene)pentan-1",5"-yl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(250 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added NH₄ OH (33% aq, 10 mL), the reaction tubewas sealed, and heated (60° C.). After 48 hours, the reaction mixturewas cooled and eluted through a plug of silica gel with ethyl acetatefollowed by acetone. The acetone fraction was reduced in vacuo to give areddish solid. A portion of this residue is purified using reverse phasegel filtration HPLC (85% MeCN/water, 0.01% TFA). The pure fractions arepooled and concentrated to a red solid. The solid is then partitionedbetween ethyl acetate/0.1N NaOH. The organic layer was concentrated togive the free base as a residue. The residue was dissolved in methanol(2 mL) and treated with HCl (2 mL, 1.0M in ether) for 1 hour. Thereaction was concentrated in vacuo to yield the title compound 28.5 mg(13%) of a magenta solid which is >95% pure by HPLC analysis. MS.

¹ H NMR: (DMSO--d₆) δ1.17 (m, 1H); 1.5-1.63 (m, 2H); 1.8-1.95 (m, 2H);2.73 (m, 2H); 4.18 (m, 4H); 7.12 (t, 2H); 7.15 (s, 2H); 7.23 (t, 2H);7.56 (d, 2H); 7.75 (d, 2H); 7.8 (br, 3H); 11.01 (s, 1H). ##STR58##

EXAMPLE 543,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(dimethylamino)methylene)pentanyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dionehydrochloride

The title compound was prepared as the hydrochloride salt by usingdimethylamine (40% aq, 5 mL) to displace the mesylate3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-(3"-(methanesulfonyloxy)methylene)pentanyl)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(110 mg, 0.2 mmol) and subsequently transforming to the hydrochloridesalt to produce the titled compound (28 mg, 26% yield). MS.

¹ H NMR: (DMSO--d₆) δ1.17 (m, 1H); 1.5-1.63 (m, 2H); 1.8-1.95 (m, 2H); 2o 73 (m, 2H); 4.18 (m, 4H); 7.12 (t, 2H); 7.15 (s, 2H); 7.23 (t, 2H);7.56 (d, 2H); 7.75 (d, 2H); 7.8 (br, 3H); 11.01 (s, 1H).

The following compounds are prepared in an analogous manner and furtherillustrate the compounds of the invention:

    __________________________________________________________________________     ##STR59##                                                                    Example                                                                            n    n1 W          R                                                     __________________________________________________________________________    55   3    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                 56   3    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 OCONH(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)                     57   3    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 NHCOCH.sub.3                               58   3    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                 59   3    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                60   3    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                          61   2    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 OCONH(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)                     62   2    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                63   2    2  O          CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                          64   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.3                                 65   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                 66   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                67   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5        68   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                          69   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCONH(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)            70   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3               71   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                 72   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.3                        73   2    2  CH         CHCH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                74   2    2  OCH.sub.2  CHCH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                   75   2    2  OCH.sub.2  CHCH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.3                                 76   2    2  OCH.sub.2  CHCH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                 77   2    2  OCH.sub.2  CHCH.sub.2 OCONH(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)                     78   2    2  OCH.sub.2  CHCH.sub.2 NHCOCH.sub.3                               79   2    2  OCH.sub.2  CHCH.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                 80   2    2  OCH.sub.2  CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                81   2    2  OCH.sub.2  CHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                          82   2    3                                                                                 ##STR60## CH                                                    83   2    3                                                                                 ##STR61## CH                                                    84   2    3                                                                                 ##STR62## CH                                                    85   2    3                                                                                 ##STR63## CH                                                    86   2    3                                                                                 ##STR64## CH                                                    87   2    3                                                                                 ##STR65## CH                                                    __________________________________________________________________________     ##STR66##                                                                    Ex.  R.sub.1                                                                            R.sub.1a                                                                         R.sub.1b   R.sub.1c                                              __________________________________________________________________________    88   H    CH.sub.3                                                                         H          H                                                     89   OCH.sub.3                                                                          H  H          H                                                     90   H    CH.sub.3                                                                         Cl         H                                                     91   H    NO.sub.2                                                                         H          H                                                     92   CF.sub.3                                                                           H  H          H                                                     93   OH   H  CH.sub.3   H                                                     94   N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                  H  H          H                                                     __________________________________________________________________________     ##STR67##                                                                    Example                                                                            n    n1 Q          R                                                     __________________________________________________________________________    95   3    3  S          O                                                     96   3    3  S          (O).sub.2                                             97   3    3  O          --                                                    98   3    3  CH         OH                                                    99   3    3  CH         OCONHC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                  100  3    3  N          H                                                     101  3    3  N          CH.sub.3                                              102  3    3  CH         NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                            103  3    3  CH         NHCH.sub.3                                            104  3    3  CH         NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                            105  3    3  CH         N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                     106  3    3  CH                                                                                        ##STR68##                                            107  3    3  CH         CH.sub.2 CN                                           108  3    3  CH         CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                     109  3    3  CH         CH.sub.2 NHCOCH.sub.3                                 110  3    3  CH         CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                            111  3    3  CH         CH.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                   112  3    3  CH         CH.sub.2 NHCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                   113  2    2  C          O                                                     __________________________________________________________________________     ##STR69##

EXAMPLE 1143,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-(3'"-((O)-4'"-(N-trifluoromethylamino)-butane)-bis(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione

3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-((O)-4'"-(N-methylamine)-butane-bis(3,3'-indolyl)]-1-(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5-dione(20 mg, 0.04 mmol) was dissolved in THF (10 mL) containing triethylamine(6.1 μL, 0.044 mmol) under nitrogen. To this solution was added carbondisulfide (3 microL, 0.05 mmol), and after 15 minutes methyl iodide wasadded. The reaction was complete after 12 hours by TLC (10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed withwater, brine, dried and concentrated to give a dithiocarbamate (23 mg,expected mass) IS/MS 559 (M⁺ +1) expected mass 558.

To a dichloromethane solution of the dithiocarbamate is addedtetrabutylammonium dihydrogentrifluoride and N-bromosuccinimide. Work upand purification by chromatography generates the3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N+(trifluoromethyl)methylamino)-butane-bis(3,3'indolyl)]-1-(methyl)-pyrrole-2,5,-dione,which is converted to the N-H maleimide.

The trifluoromethylamine derivative may also be prepared as follows:

To a DMSO solution of the monomethyl amine is addeddibromodifluoromethane and tetrakis(dimethylamine)-ethylene. Standardwork up gives the desired trifluoromethylamine derivative. Thetrifluoromethyl derivative would be converted to the N-H maleimide aspreviously described.

As previously noted, the compounds of the present invention are potent,protein kinase C inhibitors. The compounds are selective for proteinkinase C over other kinases.

The ability of the compounds of the present invention to selectivelyinhibit protein kinase C was determined in the Calcium CalmodulinDependent Protein Kinase Assay, Casein Protein Kinase II assay,cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit assay and theProtein-Tyrosine Kinase assay.

Calcium Calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinase AsSay (CaM)

The Calcium Calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinase Assay is described inthe Journal of Neuroscience, 3:818-831 (1983). The assay components arein a total volume of 250 μL: 55 mMHEPES(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine-ethanesulfonic acid), pH 7.5, 2.75mM dithiothreitol, 2.2 mM EGTA(ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid, used in the blankbuffer), 1.1 mM calcium chloride (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) (used in thecontrol buffer), 10 mM magnesium chloride (Sigma, St. Louis, Missouri),200 μg/mL histone type HL (Worthington), 10 μL DMSO or DMSO/inhibitorand 30 μM (gamma 32P) ATP (DuPont). The reaction is initiated by theaddition of calcium calmodulin dependent protein kinase (isolated fromrat brain homogenate), incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes andstopped by adding 0.5 mL ice cold trichloroacetic acid (Amresco)followed by 100 μL of 1 mg/mL bovine serum albumin (Sigma, St. Louis,Mo.). The precipitate is collected by vacuum filtration on glass fiberfilters and quantified by counting in a beta scintillation counter.Buffer components:

    ______________________________________                                                      Control buffer                                                                            Blank buffer                                        ______________________________________                                        200 mM HEPES pH 7.5                                                                           3125 μL    625 μL                                       50 mM DTT        625 μL    125 μL                                       histone         1250 μL    250 μL                                       100 mM calcium   125 μL    --                                              100 mM EGTA     --             50 μL                                       DI water        2375 μL    450 μL                                       ______________________________________                                    

Assay components:

165 μL Buffer

25 μL calmodulin (250 μg/mL)

10 μL DMSO or DMSO/inhibitor

25 μL kinase enzyme

25 μL AT32P.

Casein Protein Kinase II Assay (CK-II)

The Casein Protein Kinase II Assay is described in Neurochem. Res., 13:829-836 (1988). The assay components are in a total volume of 250 μL: 20mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 5 mM sodium fluoride, 50 mg/mL Casein (Sigma, St.Louis, Mo.), 10 mM magnesium chloride (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), 10 μLDMSO or DMSO/inhibitor and 30 μm (gamma-32P) ATP (DuPont). Initiation ofthe reaction is performed by addition of casein protein kinase II(isolated from rat brain homogenate), incubated at room temperature for10 minutes and stopped by the addition of 0.5 mL ice coldTrichloroacetic acid (Amresco) followed by 100 μL of 1 mg/mL bovineserum albumin (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). The precipitate is collected byvacuum filtration on glass fiber filters and quantified by counting in abeta scintillation counter.

Assay components in order of addition

175 μL Buffer

10 μL or DMSO or DMSO/inhibitor

25 μL of AT32P in 300 μM magnesium chloride

40 μL of enzyme (undiluted)

Buffer prepared as follows: (Final volume=3.5 mL: amount of 20 assays)

    ______________________________________                                        500 μL of each:                                                                             200 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5                                                        50 mM sodium fluoride                                                         50 mg/mL Casein                                                               + 2 mL DI water                                              Total Volume     3.5 mL                                                       ______________________________________                                    

cAMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit Assay (PKA)

The Assay components are in a total volume of 250 μL: 20 mM HEPES(Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) buffer pH 7.5, 200 μg/mL histone type HL(Worthington), 10 mM magnesium chloride (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), 10 μLDMSO or DMSO inhibitor and 30 μM (gamma-32P) ATP (DuPont). The reactionis initiated by addition of bovine heart cAMP-dependent kinase catalyticsubunit (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), incubated to 30° C. for 10 minutes andstopped by adding 0.5 mL ice cold Trichloroacetic acid (Amresco)followed by 100 μL of 1 mg/mL bovine serum albumin (Sigma). Theprecipitate is collected by vacuum filtrated on glass fiber filtersemploying a TOMTEC™ and quantified by counting in a beta scintillationcounter. This assay is done identical to the protein kinase C (PKC.)enzyme assay except that no phospholipids or diacylglycerol are employedin the assay and the histone substrate is specific for thecAMP-dependent catalytic subunit enzyme.

Protein Tyrosine Kinase Assay (src)

The Assay components are the following:

10 μL Raytide

10 μL Kinase

4 μL DMSO or DMSO/inhibitor

6 μL 200 mM HEPES pH 7.5

10 μL AT32P

This assay is described by Onogene Science, Inc. Cat. #PK02 and PK03(1990).

Surprisingly, the compounds of the present invention are alsoisozyme-selective inhibitors, that is, the compounds selectively inhibitprotein kinase C beta-1 and beta-2 isozymes. This isozyme selectivitywas determined in the PKC Enzyme Assay.

PKC Enzyme Assay

PKC enzymes=alpha, beta I, beta II, gamma, delta, epsilon, eta and zeta.

Assay components in a total volume of 250 μL are as follows:

Vesicles consisting of 120 μg/mL phosphatidylserine (Avanti PolarLipids) and sufficient diacylglycerol (Avanti Polar Lipids) to activatethe enzyme to maximum activity in 20 mM HEPES buffer (Sigma, St. Louis,Mo.), pH 7.5, 940 BM calcium chloride (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) forassaying the alpha, beta-1, beta-2 and gamma enzyme only, 1 mM EGTA forall the enzymes, 10 mM magnesium chloride (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) and 30BM (gamma-32P) ATP (DuPont). For all the enzymes either histone type HL(Worthington) or myelin basic protein is used as substrate. The assay isstarted by addition of protein kinase C enzyme incubated at 30° C. for10 minutes and stopped by adding 0.5 mL of cold trichloroacetic acid(Amresco) followed by 100 μL of 1 mg/mL bovine serum albumin (Sigma, St.Louis, Mo.). The precipitate is collected by vacuum filtration on glassfiber filters employing a TOMTEC™ filtration system and quantified bycounting in a beta scintillation counter.

Table 1 demonstrates the PKC selectivity of representative compounds inthe above assays.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________    IC.sub.50 (μM)                                                             Ex.                                                                              PKC-α                                                                        PKC-β1                                                                        PKC-β2                                                                        PKA  CaM  CK-II                                                                              src                                          __________________________________________________________________________    1  1    0.05 0.04 NA   NA   >100 NA                                           2  4    0.4  0.2  >100 >100 >100 >100                                         3  0.3  0.03 0.02 >100 3    >100 >100                                         4  0.3  0.02 0.008                                                                              NA   3    >100 37                                           4s 1.3  0.048                                                                              0.033                                                                              >100 2.5  >100 63                                           4r 0.30 0.005                                                                              0.021                                                                              >100 0.69 >100 33                                           5  0.28 0.012                                                                              0.005                                                                              >100 4.0  >100 21                                           5s 0.36 0.0047                                                                             0.0059                                                                             >100 8    >100 >100                                         5r 0.4  0.01 0.01 >100 5    >100 63                                           6  4.2  0.043                                                                              0.035                                                                              NA   NA   NA   NA                                           7  >5.0 0.15 0.18 NA   NA   NA   NA                                           8  2.5  0.037                                                                              0.032                                                                              NA   NA   NA   NA                                           9  3.0  0.35 0.16 >100 26   >100 58                                           11 5    0.3  0.1  >100 20   >100 >100                                         12 19   0.6  0.5  >100 93   >100 NA                                           13 >5.0 1.9  0.94 NA   NA   NA   NA                                           15 >5.0 2.9  0.83 NA   NA   NA   NA                                           16 >5.0 3.2  2.3  NA   NA   NA   NA                                           17s                                                                              0.24 <0.005                                                                             <0.005                                                                             0.16 2.2  >100 NA                                           18s                                                                              6.4  0.38 0.30 >100 4.4  >100 >100                                         18r                                                                              3.4  0.083                                                                              0.087                                                                              >100 8.8  >100 NA                                           19r                                                                              0.48 0.032                                                                              0.030                                                                              >100 2.2  >100 >100                                         20r                                                                              0.89 0.04 0.03 >100 7.3  >100 74                                           20s                                                                              3    0.1  0.05 >100 6.7  >100 16                                           21r                                                                              68   0.18 0.05 >100 56   >100 >100                                         21s                                                                              >5.0 0.17 0.044                                                                              NA   NA   NA   NA                                           23s                                                                              1.8  0.30 0.24 NA   NA   NA   NA                                           24s                                                                              3.5  0.49 0.38 NA   NA   NA   NA                                           25r                                                                              94   0.043                                                                              0.12 >100 22   >100 NA                                           27 2.2  0.049                                                                              0.026                                                                              NA   NA   NA   NA                                           28 1    0.07 0.08 NA   2    >100 >100                                         29 >100 0.7  0.8  NA   NA   NA   NA                                           30 >100 1    2    >100 >10  >10  >100                                         31 0.3  0.02 0.03 >100 0.47 >100 >100                                         31r                                                                              0.24 0.019                                                                              0.008                                                                              NA   NA   NA   NA                                           32 0.1  0.01 0.008                                                                              >100 0.9  >100 72                                           33 0.4  0.05 0.04 NA   0.6  >100 61                                           34 1    0.1  0.1  NA   4    >100 >100                                         35 9    3    2    NA   82   >100 >100                                         36r                                                                              0.45 0.005                                                                              0.014                                                                              >100 7.1  >100 61                                           37 0.7  0.05 0.04 >100 5    >100 >100                                         38 4    0.2  0.1  >100 9    >100 >100                                         39 31   0.4  0.3  >100 >100 >100 >100                                         40 0.6  0.05 0.03 >100 5    >100 4.4                                          40s                                                                              0.4  0.03 0.02 >100 41   >100 NA                                           40r                                                                              0.30 0.01 0.01 >100 8.0  >100 71                                           41 0.3  0.03 0.03 NA   3    >100 91                                           42 >100 0.5  0.6  >100 >100 >100 >100                                         43 0.4  0.04 0.03 NA   0.6  >100 >100                                         44 >100 2    2    NA   NA   NA   NA                                           45 3    0.1  0.1  >100 39   >100 >125                                         46 3    0.04 0.04 >100 63   >100 >100                                         47 2    0.07 0.06 >100 70   >100 >125                                         48 >100 0.5  0.3  >100 >100 >100 >100                                         49 10   0.6  0.4  >100 >100 >100 >100                                         51 49   0.5  0.5  NA   NA   NA   NA                                           54 0.16 0.005                                                                              0.004                                                                              NA   NA   NA   NA                                           55 >5.0 0.41 0.38 NA   NA   NA   NA                                           __________________________________________________________________________     NA  data are not available                                               

The compounds of the invention inhibit protein kinase C with an IC₅₀value of below 100 μm. In addition, the compounds of the inventionselectively inhibit the beta-1 and beta-2 protein kinase C isozymes andhave an IC₅₀ value with respect to these isozymes of below 10 μm.

As an inhibitor of protein kinase C, the compounds are useful in thetreatment of conditions in which protein kinase C has demonstrated arole in the pathology. Conditions recognized in the art include:diabetes mellitus and its complications, ischemia, inflammation, centralnervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease,dermatological disease and cancer.

Protein kinase C inhibitors have been shown to block inflammatoryresponses such as neutrophil oxidative burst, CD₃ down-regulation inT-lymphocytes, and phorbol-induced paw edema. Twoemy, B. et al. Biochem.Biophys. Res. Commun. 171: 1087-1092 (1990); Mulqueen, M. J. et al.Agents Actions 37: 85-89 (1992). Accordingly, as inhibitors of PKC, thepresent compounds are useful in treating inflammation.

Protein kinase C activity plays a central role in the functioning of thecentral nervous system. Huang, K. P. Trends Neurosci. 12: 425-432(1989). In addition, protein kinase C inhibitors have been shown toprevent the damage seen in focal and central ischemic brain injury andbrain edema. Hara, H. et al. J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab 10: 646-653(1990); Shibata, S. et al. Brain Res. 594:290-294 (1992). Recently,protein kinase C has been determined to be implicated in Alzheimer'sdisease. Shimohama, S. et al., Neurology 43: 1407-1413 (1993).Accordingly, the compounds of the present invention are useful intreating Alzheimer's disease and ischemic brain injury.

Protein kinase C activity has long been associated with cell growth,tumor promotion and cancer. Rotenberg, S. A. and Weinstein, I. B.Biochem. Mol. Aspects Sel. Cancer. 1: 25-73 (1991). Ahmad et al.,Molecular Pharmacology: 43 858-862 (1993). It is known that inhibitorsof protein kinase C inhibitors are effective in preventing tumor growthin animals. Meyer, T. et al. Int. J. Cancer 43: 851-856 (1989);Akinagaka, S. et al. Cancer Res. 51:4888-4892 (1991). The compounds ofthe present invention also act as multidrug reversal (MDR) agents makingthem effective compounds when administered in conjunction with otherchemotherapeutic agents.

Protein kinase C activity also plays an important role in cardiovasculardisease. Increased protein kinase C activity in the vasculature has beenshown to cause increased vasoconstriction and hypertension. A knownprotein kinase C inhibitor prevented this increase. Bilder, G. E. et al.J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 252: 526-530 (1990). Because protein kinase Cinhibitors demonstrate inhibition of the neutrophil oxidative burst,protein kinase C inhibitors are also useful in treating cardiovascularischemia and improving cardiac function following ischemia. Muid, R. E.et al. FEBS Lett. 293: 169-172 (1990); Sonoki, H. et al. Kokyu-To Junkan37: 669-674 (1989).

The role of protein kinase C in platelet function has also beeninvestigated and as shown elevated protein kinase C levels beingcorrelated with increased response to agonists. Bastyr III, E. J. andLu, J. Diabetes 42: (Suppl. 1) 97A (1993). PKC has been implicated inthe biochemical pathway in the platelet-activity factor modulation ofmicrovascular permeability. Kobayashi et al., Amer. Phys. Soc. H₁₂₁₄-H₁₂₂₀ (1994). Potent protein kinase C inhibitors have been demonstratedto affect agonist-induced aggregation in platelets. Toullec, D. et al.J. Biol. Chem. 266: 15771-15781 (1991). Protein kinase C inhibitors alsoblock agonist-induced smooth muscle cell proliferation. Matsumoto, H.and Sasaki, Y. Biochem. BiOphys. Res. Commun. 158: 105-109 (1989).Therefore, the present compounds are useful in treating cardiovasculardisease, atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Abnormal activity of protein kinase C has also been linked todermatological disorders such as psoriasis. Horn, F. et al. J. Invest.Dermatol. 88: 220-222 (1987); Raynaud, F. and Evain-Brion, D. Br. J.Dermatol. 124: 542-546 (1991). Psoriasis is characterized by abnormalproliferation of keratinocytes. Known protein kinase C inhibitors havebeen shown to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation in a manner thatparallels their potency as PKC inhibitors. Hegemann, L. et al. Arch.Dermatol. Res, 283: 456-460 (1991); Bollag, W. B. et al. J. Invest.Dermatol. 100: 240-246 (1993). Accordingly, the compounds as inhibitorsof PKC are useful in treating psoriasis.

Protein kinase C has been linked to several different aspects ofdiabetes. Excessive activity of protein kinase C has been linked toinsulin signaling defects and therefore to the insulin resistance seenin Type II diabetes. Karasik, A. et al. J. Bio. Chem. 265: 10226-10231(1990); Chen, K. S. et al. Trans, Assoc. Am. Physicians 104: 206-212(1991); Chin, J. E. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 268: 6338-6347 (1993). Inaddition, studies have demonstrated a marked increase in protein kinaseC activity in tissues known to be susceptible to diabetic complicationswhen exposed to hyperglycemic conditions. Lee, T.-S. et al. J. Clin.Invest. 83: 90-94 (1989); Lee, T.-S. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA86: 5141-5145 (1989); Craven, P. A. and DeRubertis, F. R. J. Clin.Invest. 83: 1667-1675 (1989); wolf, B. A. et al. Clin. Invest. 87: 31-38(1991); Tesfamariam, B. et al. J. Clin. Invest. 87: 1643-1648 (1991).

The compounds of the invention are also isozyme-selective. The compoundspreferentially inhibit protein kinase C beta-1 and beta-2 isozyme overthe protein kinase C isozymes, i.e., alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta,and eta. In general, the compounds demonstrate a minimum of a ten folddifferential in the dosage required to inhibit PKC beta-1 or beta-2isozyme and the dosage required for equal inhibition of the alphaprotein kinase C isozyme as measured in the PKC assay. Accordingly,compounds of the present invention inhibit beta-1 and beta-2 isozymes ofprotein kinase C at much lower concentrations with minimal inhibition ofthe other PKC isozymes. This isozyme selectivity is demonstrated inTable 2 for a representative compound.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                                Isozymes ED50 (μM)                                                 Compound (Ex)                                                                           α                                                                             β1                                                                              β2                                                                            γ                                                                            δ                                                                            ε                                                                          ζ                                                                             η                         ______________________________________                                        5         .28   0.019  0.005                                                                              .23  .31  1.0  38   0.035                         ______________________________________                                    

Because of this selectivity, the compounds are particularly useful intreating those disease states in which protein kinase C isozyme beta-1or beta-2 are associated. For example, the elevated blood glucose levelsfound in diabetes leads to an isozyme-specific elevation of the beta-2isozyme in vascular tissues. Inoguchi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA89: 11059-11065 (1992). A diabetes-linked elevation of the beta isozymein human platelets has been correlated with their altered response toagonists. Bastyr III, E. J. and Lu, J. Diabetes 42: (Suppl 1) 97A(1993). The human vitamin D receptor has been shown to be selectivelyphosphorylated by protein kinase C beta. This phosphorylation has beenlinked to alterations in the functioning of the receptor. Hsieh et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88: 9315-9319 (1991); Hsieh et al., J. Biol.Chem. 268: 15118-15126 (1993). In addition, recent work has shown thatthe beta-2 isozyme is responsible for erythroleukemia cell proliferationwhile the alpha isozyme is involved in megakaryocyte differentiation inthese same cells. Murray et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268: 15847-15853 (1993).

The compounds of Formula I are preferably formulated prior toadministration. Therefore, yet another embodiment of the presentinvention is a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound ofFormula I and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluentsor excipients.

The present pharmaceutical formulations are prepared by known proceduresusing well known and readily available ingredients. In making thecompositions of the present invention, the active ingredient willusually be mixed with a carrier, or diluted by a carrier, or enclosedwithin a carrier which may be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper orother container. When the carrier serves as a diluent, it may be asolid, semisolid or liquid material which acts as a vehicle, excipientor medium for the active ingredient. Thus, the compositions can be inthe form of tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets,elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosol (as a solidor in a liquid medium), soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories,sterile injectable solutions and sterile packaged powders.

Some examples of suitable carriers, excipients, and diluents includelactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia,calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate,microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, watersyrup, methyl cellulose, methyl and propylhydroxybenzoates, talc,magnesium stearate and mineral oil. The formulations can additionallyinclude lubricating agents, wetting agents, emulsifying and suspendingagents, preserving agents, sweetening agents or flavoring agents. Thecompositions of the invention may be formulated so as to provide quick,sustained or delayed release of the active ingredient afteradministration to the patient. The compositions are preferablyformulated in a unit dosage form, each dosage containing from about 1 toabout 500 mg, more usually about 5 to about 300 mg, of the activeingredient. However, it will be understood that the therapeutic dosageadministered will be determined by the physician in the light of therelevant circumstances including the condition to be treated, the choiceof compound to be administered and the chosen route of administration,and therefore the above dosage ranges are not intended to limit thescope of the invention in any way. The term "unit dosage form" refers tophysically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human subjectsand other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity ofactive material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, inassociation with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier.

In addition to the above formulations, the compounds of the presentinvention may be administered topically. Topical formulations areointments, creams, and gels.

Ointments generally are prepared using either (1) an oleaginous base,i.e., one consisting of fixed oils or hydrocarbons, such as whitepetrolatum or mineral oil, or (2) an absorbent base, i.e., oneconsisting of an anhydrous substance or substances which can absorbwater, for example anhydrous lanolin. Customarily, following formationof the base, whether oleaginous or absorbent, the active ingredient(compound) is added to an amount affording the desired concentration.

Creams are oil/water emulsions. They consist of an oil phase (internalphase), comprising typically fixed oils, hydrocarbons, and the like,such as waxes, petrolatum, mineral oil, and the like, and an aqueousphase (continuous phase), comprising water and any water-solublesubstances, such as added salts. The two phases are stabilized by use ofan emulsifying agent, for example, a surface active agent, such assodium lauryl sulfate; hydrophilic colloids, such as acacia colloidalclays, veegum, and the like. Upon formation of the emulsion, the activeingredient (compound) customarily is added to an amount to achieve thedesired concentration.

Gels comprise a base selection from an oleaginous base, water, or anemulsion-suspension base. To the base is added a gelling agent whichforms a matrix in the base, increasing its viscosity. Examples ofgelling agents are hydroxypropyl cellulose, acrylic acid polymers, andthe like. Customarily, the active ingredient (compounds) is added to theformulation at the desired concentration at a point preceding additionof the gelling agent.

The amount of compound incorporated into a topical formulation is notcritical; the concentration should only be range sufficient to permitready application of the formulation to the an affected tissue area inan amount which will deliver the desired amount of compound.

The customary amount of a topical formulation to be applied to anaffected tissue will depend upon an affected tissue size andconcentration of compound in the formulation. Generally, the formulationwill be applied to the effected tissue in an amount affording from about1 to about 500 μg compound per cm² of an affected tissue. Preferably,the applied amount of compound will range from about 30 to about 300μg/cm², more preferably, from about 50 to about 200 μg/cm², and, mostpreferably, from about 60 to about 100 μg/cm².

The following formulation examples are illustrative only and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Formulation 1

Hard gelatin capsules are prepared using the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                                       Quantity                                                                      (mg/capsule)                                                   ______________________________________                                        Active agent     250                                                          starch, dried    200                                                          magnesium stearate                                                                              10                                                          Total            460 mg                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The above ingredients are mixed and filled into hard gelatin capsules in460 mg quantities.

Formulation 2

A tablet is prepared using the ingredients below:

    ______________________________________                                                       Quantity                                                                      (mg/capsule)                                                   ______________________________________                                        Active agent       250                                                        cellulose, microcrystalline                                                                      400                                                        silicon dioxide, fumed                                                                            10                                                        stearic acid        5                                                         Total              665 mg                                                     ______________________________________                                    

The components are blended and compressed to form tablets each weighing665 mg.

Formulation 3

An aerosol solution is prepared containing the following components:

    ______________________________________                                                       Quantity                                                                      (mg/capsule)                                                   ______________________________________                                        Active agent      0.25                                                        ethanol           29.75                                                       Propellant 22                                                                 (chlorodifluoromethane)                                                                         70.00                                                       Total             100.00                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The active compound is mixed with ethanol. The mixture is added to aportion of the Propellant 22, cooled to -30° C. and transferred to afilling device. The required amount is then fed to a stainless steelcontainer and diluted with the remainder of the propellant. The valveunits are then fitted to the container.

Formulation 4

Tablets each containing 60 mg of active ingredient are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                             Quantity                                                                      (mg/capsule)                                             ______________________________________                                        Active agent           60      mg                                             starch                 45      mg                                             microcrystalline cellulose                                                                           35      mg                                             polyvinylpyrrolidone   4       mg                                             (as 10% solution in water)                                                    sodium carboxymethyl starch                                                                          4.5     mg                                             magnesium stearate     0.5     mg                                             talc                   1       mg                                             Total                  150     mg                                             ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient, starch and cellulose are passed through a No. 45mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution ofpolyvinylpyrrolidone is mixed with the resultant powders which are thenpassed through a No. 14 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced aredried at 50° C. and passed through a No. 18 mesh U.S. sieve. The sodiumcarboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate and talc, previously passedthrough a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which,after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tablets eachweighing 150 mg.

Formulation 5

Capsules each containing 80 mg of medicament are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                        Quantity                                                                      (mg/capsule)                                                  ______________________________________                                        Active agent      80 mg                                                       starch            59 mg                                                       microcrystalline cellulose                                                                      59 mg                                                       magnesium stearate                                                                               2 mg                                                       Total             200 mg                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient, cellulose, starch and magnesium stearate areblended, passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hardgelatin capsules in 200 mg quantities.

Formulation 6

Suppositories each containing 225 mg of active ingredient may be made asfollows:

    ______________________________________                                                          Quantity                                                                      (mg/capsule)                                                ______________________________________                                        Active agent          225 mg                                                  saturated fatty acid glycerides                                                                   2,000 mg                                                  Total               2,225 mg                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient is passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve andsuspended in the saturated fatty acid glycerides previously melted usingthe minimum heat necessary. The mixture is then poured into asuppository mold of nominal 2 g capacity and allowed to cool.

Formulation 7

Suspensions each containing 50 mg of medicament per 5 mL dose are madeas follows:

    ______________________________________                                                             Quantity                                                                      (mg/capsule)                                             ______________________________________                                        Active agent           50      mg                                             sodium carboxymethyl cellulose                                                                       50      mg                                             syrup                  1.25    mL                                             benzoic acid solution  0.10    mL                                             flavor                 q.v.                                                   color                  q.v.                                                   purified water to total                                                                              5       mL                                             ______________________________________                                    

The medicament is passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed withthe sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and syrup to form a smooth paste. Thebenzoic acid solution, flavor and color are diluted with some of thewater and added, with stirring. Sufficient water is then added toproduce the required volume.

Formulation 8

An intravenous formulation may be prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                     Quantity                                                                      (mg/capsule)                                                     ______________________________________                                        Active agent    250 mg                                                        isotonic saline                                                                              1000 mg                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The solution of the above ingredients is administered intravenously at arate of 1 mL per minute to a subject in need of treatment.

We claim:
 1. A compound of Formula: ##STR70## wherein: W is --O--,--S--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --CO--, C₂ -C₆ alkylene, substituted alkylene,C₂ -C₆ alkenylene, -aryl-, -aryl(CH₂)_(m) O--, -heterocycle-,-heterocycle--(CH₂)_(m) O--, -fused bicyclic-, -fusedbicyclic--(CH₂)_(m) O--, --NR₃ --, --NOR₃ --, --CONH--, or --NHCO--;Xand y are independently C₁ -C₄ alkylene, substituted alkylene, ortogether X, y, and W combine to form --(CH₂)_(n) --AA--; R₁ isindependently hydrogen, halo, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy,haloalkyl, nitro, NR₄ R₅, or --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl); R₂ is hydrogen, CH₃CO--, NH₂, or hydroxy; R₃ is hydrogen, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, C₁ -C₄ alkyl,--COO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --CONR₄ R₅, --(C═NH)NH₂, --SO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂(NR₄ R₅), or --SO₂ (C₁ -C₄ alkyl); R₄ and R₅ are independently hydrogen,C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or combine to the nitrogen to which theyare bonded to form a saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6 member ring; AA isan amino acid residue; m is independently 0, 1, 2, or 3; and n isindependently 2, 3, 4, or 5; ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt orsolvate thereof.
 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein R₂ is hydrogen.
 3. Acompound of claim 2 wherein the moieties --X--W--Y-- contain 4 to 8atoms, said atoms being substituted or unsubstituted.
 4. A compound ofclaim 3 wherein W is a substituted alkylene, --O--, --S--, or --NR₃ --;and R₃ is hydrogen, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, C₁ -C₄ alkyl; and m is 0, 1, 2, or3.
 5. A compound of claim 4, which is of the formula: ##STR71## wherein:Y is C₁ -C₄ alkylene or substituted alkylene;W' is --O--, --S--, or--NR₃ --; R₃ is hydrogen, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, --COO(C₁ -C₄alkyl), --CONR₄ R₅, --(C═NH)NH₂, --SO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), or--SO₂ (C₁ -C₄ alkyl); R₄ and R₅ are independently hydrogen, C₁ -C₄alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, or combine to the nitrogen to which they arebonded to form a saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6 member ring; and m is0, 1, 2, or
 3. 6. A compound of claim 5 wherein W' is --O--; and y issubstituted alkylene.
 7. A compound of claim 6, which is of the formula:##STR72## wherein: Z is --(CH₂)_(p) -- or --(CH₂)_(p) --O--(CH₂)_(p)--;R₆ is hydroxy, --SH, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, (CH₂)_(m) aryl, --NH(aryl), --NR₄R₅, --NH(CF₃) or N(CF₃)(CH₃); R₄ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkyl; R₅ ishydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, benzyl, or combines with R₄ and the nitrogen towhich they are bonded to form a saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6 memberring; p is independently 0, 1 or 2; and m is independently 0, 1, 2, or3.
 8. A compound of claim 7 wherein Z is --CH₂ --; R₆ is --NR₄ R₅,--NH(CF₃) or N (CF₃) (CH₃), and R₄ and R₅ are methyl.
 9. A compoundselected from the group consisting of(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-((O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-((O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione, a mixture thereof; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
 10. A compound ofclaim 9 which is(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-((O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)-butane)-bis(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.11. A compound of claim 10 which is(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N,N-dimethylamino)butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.12. A compound selected from the group consisting of(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N-pyrrolidine)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N-pyrrolidine)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,a mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solventthereof.
 13. A compound of claim 12, which is(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N-pyrrolidine)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.14. A compound of claim 12, which is(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N-pyrrolidine)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.15. A compound selected from the group consisting of(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3"'-(O)-4'"-(N-phenylsulfonamido)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,(R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-((O)-4'"-(N-phenylsulfonamido-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione,a mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solventthereof.
 16. A compound of claim 15, which is(S)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N-phenylsulfonamido)butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.17. A compound of claim 15, which is (R)-3,4-[(N,N'-1,1'-((2"-ethoxy)-3'"-(O)-4'"-(N-phenylsulfonamido)-butane)-bis-(3,3'-indolyl)]-1(H)-pyrrole-2,5-dione.18. A compound of the Formula: ##STR73## wherein: V is --O--or N--CH₃ ;Wis --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO₂ --, --CO--, C₂ -C₆ alkylene, substitutedalkylene, C₂ -C₆ alkenylene, -aryl-, -aryl(CH₂)_(m) O--, -heterocycle-,-heterocycle--(CH₂)_(m) O--, -fused bicyclic-, -fusedbicyclic--(CH₂)_(m) O--, --NR₃ --, --NOR₃ --, --CONH--, or --NHCO--; Xand y are independently C₁ -C₄ alkylene, substituted alkylene, ortogether X, y, and W combine to form --(CH₂)_(n) --AA--; R₁ isindependently hydrogen, halo, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy,haloalkyl, nitro, NR₄ R₅, or --NHCO(C₁ -C₄ alkyl); R₃ is hydrogen,(CH₂)_(m) aryl, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, --COO (C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --CONR₄ R₅, --(C═NH)NH₂, --SO (C₁ -C₄ alkyl), --SO₂ (NR₄ R₅), or --SO₂ (C₁ -C₄ alkyl); R₄and R₅ are independently hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, orcombine to the nitrogen to which they are bonded to form a saturated orunsaturated 5 or 6 member ring; AA is an amino acid residue; m isindependently 0, 1, 2, or 3; and n is independently 2, 3, 4, or
 5. 19. Acompound of claim 18, wherein W is --O--; and y is substituted alkylene.20. A compound of claim 19, which is of the formula: ##STR74## wherein:Z is --(CH₂)_(p) -- or --(CH₂)_(p) --O--(CH₂)_(p) --;R₆ is hydroxy,hydroxy protecting group, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, --NR₄ R₅, --NH(CF₃),N(CF₃)(CH₃); amine protecting group, or NH-protecting group; R₄ ishydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkyl; R₅ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, benzyl, orcombines with R₄ and the nitrogen to which they are bonded to form asaturated or unsaturated 5 or 6 member ring; p is independently 0, 1 or2; and m is independently 0, 1, 2, or
 3. 21. A pharmaceuticalformulations comprising a compound of claim 1 together with one or morepharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, or diluents.
 22. Apharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound of claim 2 togetherwith one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, ordiluents.
 23. A pharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound ofclaim 3 together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients, carriers, or diluents.
 24. A pharmaceutical formulationscomprising a compound of claim 4 together with one or morepharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, or diluents.
 25. Apharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound of claim 5 togetherwith one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, ordiluents.
 26. A pharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound ofclaim 6 together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients, carriers, or diluents.
 27. A pharmaceutical formulationscomprising a compound of claim 7 together with one or morepharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, or diluents.
 28. Apharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound of claim 8 togetherwith one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, ordiluents.
 29. A pharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound ofclaim 9 together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients, carriers, or diluents.
 30. A pharmaceutical formulationscomprising a compound of claim 10 together with one or morepharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, or diluents.
 31. Apharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound of claim 11 togetherwith one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, ordiluents.
 32. A pharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound ofclaim 12 together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients, carriers, or diluents.
 33. A pharmaceutical formulationscomprising a compound of claim 13 together with one or morepharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, or diluents.
 34. Apharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound of claim 14 togetherwith one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, ordiluents.
 35. A pharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound ofclaim 15 together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients, carriers, or diluents.
 36. A pharmaceutical formulationscomprising a compound of claim 16 together with one or morepharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, or diluents.
 37. Apharmaceutical formulations comprising a compound of claim 17 togetherwith one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers, ordiluents.